A jump in kiddywinks chortling with glee while honing fundamental movement skills and self-confidence has its facilitators swinging their hips.
Active Little Learners Charitable Trust has almost tripled its participation by Nelson Tasman’s preschoolers since its March 2022 beginnings.
Fun themed activities like hula hooping and pushing a ball with a pool noodle are mentored to more than 1200 children aged two to four at more than 30 childcare centres from Nelson to Motueka.
Its movers and shakers are Anthony Denissen and former Black Stick and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anita McLaren, who co-founded the organisation after noticing a gap for children aged two to four to pick up the ABCs of athleticism.
Alana Bozoky, Cherie Llewellin, Luke Swart and Lee Corlett are the other key players.
Anthony says the session’s popularity was “excitement” with a tick of approval from caregivers and funding from local businesses, including Rātā Foundation, NBS, Gibbons, and Tasman District Council, keeping the ball rolling.
“I just think that there’s a demand for someone to come in and bring some energy and some fun,” he says. “I’m not saying the teachers don’t do that, but it’s just sometimes fun for a new face to come in and bring all our equipment and do all the stuff at a centre.
“It’s taking [the kids] on a journey without them realising that they’re learning all these different skills… one might catch a ball for the first time, and then their face lights up.
“[Recently we had] a swing ball and the kids have to crawl under the angry chicken [the swing ball] to steal some ‘eggs’ from a nest.”
Active Little Learners’ output was recognised at the Sport Tasman Sport and Recreation Awards in 2024 with the Community Impact Award and is nominated for the same award in the Nelson Pine Industries Business Awards, which are announced in February next year.
Anthony says the trust has an ambition to extend its reach in more rural areas and in Golden Bay and would appreciate financial backers to make this happen.
Any assistance can be directed to anthony@activelittlelearners.org.nz
