Start Smart Sports Development Program gains worldwide appeal.

Since the START SMART Sports Development Program was introduced to park and recreation departments a couple of years ago, more than 10,000 children and their parents have participated.

It's easy to see why.

There's colorful equipment, fun-filled drills, innovative skill stations, a pressure-free environment -- and Mom and Dad get to play, too.

"I definitely recommend it for parks and recreation departments, it's a no-brainer," says Steve Doniger, youth recreation director for the Valparaiso (IN) Department of Parks & Recreation, which has conducted more than 20 of the six-week programs. "It's a great program and the benefits have been tremendous. And from an administrative standpoint, it's inexpensive for us to run and financially positive."

The program has gained worldwide attention, as recreation professional have realized the important role it plays in preparing children for the rigors of organized sports. More than 400 of the six-week programs have been held in 43 states. Testament to its universal appeal, close to 30 programs have been held in Korea, Japan, Germany, Guam, England, Cuba, Canada, and the Netherlands.

START SMART has established itself as a valuable addition to the program lineups of numerous park and recreation departments nationwide that haven't typically been able to offer many activities for children in the age range from 3 to 5 years. The program is not only fun but provides an array of benefits for the young participants. Toss is the fact that parents participate with their child, and it's easy to see why the program has been a success.

"A pre-school sports program of this fine caliber is needed in all cities," says Michael Hecker, director of the Unalaska Parks & Recreation Department in Alaska. "Both the kids and the parents loved it. It was fun, skills were learned, confidence was gained, and the best part was that a bonding opportunity was given for both the parent opportunity was given fir both the parent and child. It sure met the needs in our Alaskan island community."

Stepping into the world of organized sports can be a traumatic experience for many children who may not be familiar with the sport and its skill requirements. Through START SMART, children ages 3 years and above are learning and developing basic motor skills like catching, throwing, kicking, and striking that are needed for a fun-filled and rewarding experience once they step onto the field or court.

"The way the program is designed it gives kids the opportunity to feel success and accomplish skills in sports," Doniger says.

It also helps them gain the confidence to perform those skills in a competitive setting. When children aren't able to meet the expectations of coaches, parents, teammates or even themselves, that's when frustration usually sets in, and they are more likely to quit or become disenchanted with the sport.

"My son went on to T-ball and excelled, in large part, due to what he had learned in the START SMART program," said Vicki Long, youth fitness coordinator at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. "I love the START SMART program. I think it is a necessary and beneficial program, and I am glad to be a part of it. My son was in the first group of participants on the base here, and he my husband had a great time."

Parents have been reaping as many benefits as their children have. It's given them the chance to spend quality time with their child each week, participating in a fun and healthy activity that they can take an active role in, rather than simply watch from the sidelines.

"It was a great chance for parents to spend quality, concentrated time with their kids," said Angel Bowden, who conducted the program through the city of Dallas Parks & Recreation Department.

START SMART also helps parents understand how to help teach sport skills to young children. That's a tremendous asset later on for park and recreation departments that are looking for quality volunteer coaches who know how to properly teach sports skills to the youngsters on their teams.

"It's been a real positive program for our parents," says Doniger. "They're felling success in learning how to teach their child the proper way of doing sports skills and getting beyond the old ways of doing things just because that's the way they've always been done. It's the chance to connect with kids, and it's the opportunity for them to act as a parent, coach, and teacher. It's all the things we ask for volunteers to do all the time."

START SMART was created in 1994 following a study conducted at Northern Kentucky University that discovered that a disturbing 49 percent of children ages 5 to 8 years lacked the minimum skills needed to participate in organized sports.

"Children who haven't been taught the skills and techniques of a sport before being placed in a competitive environment aren't going to have much fun participating," says Dr. Michael Gray, exercise physiologist and director of NKU's Youth Sports Research Center. " And they're not going to stay involved in the spot for very long, either."

The study found that children who enter youth sports programs with fundamental motor-skill competence have added confidence in their ability to perform and are much more likely to improve their skill performance and be successful in competition. These same children are also more likely to continue to participate in physical activities throughout their adult lives.

START SMART'S weekly one-hour sessions feature a variety of specially designed stations that have proven to be remarkably effective in helping children learn and enhance their throwing, catching, kicking, and hitting skills.

"I really thought it was a fun class," said Jennifer Reese, who conducted the program through the Kalispell (MT) Parks & Recreation Department. "My daughter was in it and loved it every week."

The program utilizes a unique line of the popular Koosh equipment, which is fun to use (for adults, too) and is ideal for the motor-skill development of children. It's soft and safe, so the children won't fear being hurt, a factor that often impedes a child's development process.

"The equipment is brilliant with this type of development program," Doniger says. "You can use the equipment for birthday parties and general recreation activities, too."

The program is designed so that youngsters rotate through all the skill stations each week. This keeps their interest level and enthusiasm high and negates any chance of becoming bored by having to do the same things repetitively. Each week the skill stations are altered to account for the child's progress.

It doesn't take long to witness improvement in each of the children. But skill development isn't the only thing children learn during these sessions.

"By the third week you can see the difference in their listening skills and how they're following directions," Doniger says. "You can see improvement in the interaction of everyone as the kids begin to mesh together and the parents mesh together."

START SMART has also expanded to include the newly developed Sport Start programs, which are designed to introduce children to all the skills necessary for a fun and rewarding experience in a particular sport. Five pilot Sport Start baseball programs are under way, and programs for soccer will be scheduled later in the year.

"I think Sport Start is a dynamite addition." Doniger says. "It's a continual progression of the program, and I'm looking forward to them."

The START SMART Senior Program, for children ages 6 and above, has been revised. It now features a variety of new Koosh equipment appropriate for that age range, and the programs will focus on allowing children to gauge how they're progressing in each skill on a weekly basis.

"You can take these programs in a lot of different directions," Doniger said. "We've revamped our pee-wee soccer, we're going to offer pee-wee tennis in the future, and we're looking into pee-wee golf. It helps generate and spark enthusiasm for new ideas."

Clearly, the START SMART program has been well received, as evidenced by the 300 parks and recreation departments across the country that have conducted the program.

But does anyone ever have any complaints regarding START SMART?

"They were upset when the program had to finish," said Gary Vicsik, youth sports director at Ramstein Air Force Base in Mildenhall, England.

RELATED ARTICLE: More than One

The following park and recreation departments have all conducted multiple START SMART programs:

City of Downey (CA) Community Services

Clovis Area (CA) Recreation

Glastonbury (CT) Parks & Recreation

Cromwell (CT) Recreation Department

City of Lagro (FL) Parks & Recreation

Collier County (FL) Parks & Recreation

Gulfport (FL) Community Center

City of Valparaiso (IN) Department of Recreation

Derby (KS) Recreation Commission

Troy (MI) Parks & Recreation

Columbia (MO) Parks & Recreation

Springfield (MO) Parks & Recreation

City of Papillion (NE) Parks & Recreation

Lower Paxton Township (PA) Parks & Recreation Department

Town of Williston (VT) Recreation