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14 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 23, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville toddlers learning to play sports Oakville toddlers will soon be learning to kick, throw, bounce and hit balls as Sportball rolls out its first Sportball Junior program here. For the first time, children who are just 16 - 24 months old will have the opportunity to be introduced to sports skills in a fun, age-appropriate and noncompetitive way. The program delights the toddlers with stories, singing and bubble time, but what makes it truly unique is the way it introduces sport to these little ones. Using simplified language, such as `run', `kick' and `throw', coaches demonstrate skills and parents assist their children, one on one, according to their skill level. MATTHEW LANGHORNE'S The Sportball program, available for children up to age 8, provides youngsters with a chance to learn fundamental athletic skills in a non-competitive environment with boys and girls their own age. Sportball sessions incorporate a proven curriculum structure with expert individual instruction and a supportive environment of positive encouragement and fun. The goal of the program is to help children develop both physically and mentally. Sportball helps improve balance, strength, coordination, stamina and timing as well as concentration, listening skills, cooperation and self-confidence. Get Your Wheels in Motion SINCE 1987 CREATIVE MUSIC for CHILDREN 3 TO 9 YEARS in an atmosphere of FUN and SPONTANEITY using Movement, Drums, Xylophones, Recorder etc. A LEARNING PROGRAM un in the F Jo out Ask Ab arties yP Birthda Based on the ORFF Method/Groups according to age Sept.-June - 1 hr. a week July-August - 8 weeks 1 hr. a week instructed by MATT LANGHORNE Certified Orff Teacher ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OF TORONTO OAKVILLE SOUTH WEST LOCATION ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH, 454 REBECCA STREET REGISTER NOW! CALL (905) 544-1691 OR EMAIL: mlanghorne@3web.net AN INVALUABLE PRELUDE TO PRIVATE INSTRUCTION! Palace ller 's Rosor Drive e cootoyrl Wind S a ) Road own outhd.on.ca 5 R t fS 210just weswoscooters . ( ww (905) Public Skating Bowling Gifts Billiards Video Games Snack Bar D.J. 01 23-40 8 Sportball Junior is the youngest baby of Carmella Gelgor, who with her husband Mark founded Sportball in 1995. "My primary motivator has always been how to make a difference in the lives of children, and we are so proud that this beautiful program is now reaching more than 4000 Canadian children every week." Carmella's academic background includes an honours degree in primary education with a major in physical education, and she taught in schools for 10 years before creating Sportball. Although Sportball was originally designed for children ages 2-8, after Carmella became a mother she saw clearly what very young children could learn to do. As a parent and as an educator she saw that introducing sport using the correct methodology and creative techniques in an age-appropriate way, young children could learn so much more than people generally expect. For Sportball Junior, coaches need to be ready with stories, rhymes and props, and need to innovate during and between classes, to adapt to the behaviour and development of the children in their class. "Sportball helps the children learn life skills through sport," says Tracy Leach, whose son Miles was in Sportball Junior from 16 months right through to age 2. She credits Sportball Junior with teaching her son how to follow instructions, put things away, stop when asked and walk in a line - all things he will need to know how to do when he goes to preschool. Tracy also finds the Sportball coaches to be extremely respectful of the children. "They really know how to talk to children and keep their interest in a way that appeals to kids. It's something you don't find in a lot of classes," she says. Free trial classes are encouraged for parents to make sure the program is right for their child. Sportball Junior programs are being offered this fall at Glen Abbey CC, Iroquois Ridge CC, River Oaks CC and Hopedale Presbyterian Church. Information about all Sportball programs, schedules and registration is available on www.sportball.ca. Great Big Theatre Company IM S CHO O Learn to SWIM! Call Making Waves Today! Fall-Winter 2006/07 · Since 1994! · Qualified Professional Swim Instructors · Small Personal Classes, 1-3 Ratio · Convenient Scheduling for Multiple Children Theatre Arts Programs For Kids & Teens ages 6 to 18 years Classes start in September. Register early. 27 locations in southwest Ontario! Call for location in your neighbourhood. www.gbtc.com LEARN TO SKATE WITH US! Only SW Discover the difference! L $ 11 per lesson Fall Registra SESSION ation NEW STAR S STARTS SOON O th STARTS JUNE 19 1 - 888 - 525-SWIM 7 9 4 6 1-866-864-4282 · onstage@gbtc.com Deadline for Registrations is October 1, 2006 pg g Group Lesson Ratio 8:1 & Private Lessons Available Skate Canada NCCP Certified Instructors Skate Canada Badge Award Program A Non-Profit Club with over 2000 Members OAKVILLE SKATING CLUB www.oakvilleskatingclub.org skating@bellnet.ca 905-257-7771 2400 Sixth Line, River Oaks Recreation Centre