5.1 Pee Wee Overview

Parisi Pee Wee classes teach fundamental athletic movements to children between the age of 4 years and 7 years old. This class integrates age appropriate educational strategies with motivational coaching. The Parisi Pee Wee program will develop critical gross motor skills while providing its young participants with an opportunity to also practice essential social, emotional and problem-solving skills. Each class is designed to build self-esteem and confidence while improving the child’s studentship.

Coaches must consider that the Parisi Pee Wee class will be many kid’s first experience participating in a structured, independent class. While some children may have attended pre-school, soccer or even tumbling-type classes, you will find several children will not be ready to let go of their parent’s hand. Do not be afraid to tell the parent that their child is not ready for this class. Just as many 7 year old children are not ready for Jump Start, it is possible that a 5 or 6 year old may not be ready for this structured class. Encourage these kids to watch from the sidelines or the lounge. This class requires the child to be independent from the parent. We recommend that parents remain in the lounge and separated from their child. This is not a ‘mommy and me’ class.

The culture of this class is highly playful. The children in these classes are learning how to move. You will find that children that enter the Parisi Speed School at this age, will become model Parisi students. As they grow up in the Parisi system they will showcase the best technique during mechanical drills when they graduate to Jump Start and Total Sports Performance classes.
Coaches that lead these classes must consider the following.

Children 4 to 7 years old:

• Test social boundaries.
• Are just learning how to reason.
• Are just learn how to socialize.
• Are just learning how to focus.
• Are just learning to take turns.
• Are just learning their right, from left side.
• Are simply learning how to follow directions in a class setting.

Because of these normal developmental differences from older elementary-aged children, Parisi Coaches teaching the pee wee community will need to integrate more kid wrangling skill sets into their leadership style. Coaches leading these classes must truly find this age group hilarious., and not frustrating.

Pee Wee Coaches Must:

• Establish authority immediately.
• Learn to speak on the child’s level, not down to the child.
• Avoid making empty threats. Use redirection and consequences, don’t drag out discipline.
• Never use exercise as a form of punishment.
• Help kids define their emotions as kids do not always understand how to express their feelings.
• Eliminate tattling from the class culture immediately. Give no power to the tattler.
• Follow through with consequences if warnings are given and not obeyed.
• Always get the kid’s attention first, then give instructions, never in reverse.
• Use first names to build relationships.
• Keep directions simple but specific.
• Give the kids assignments.
• Treat the children with respect.
• Do not use baby-talk.

Coaches can expect kids this age to blurt things out when you are teaching. They will often interrupt to ‘tattle’ and they are masters of distraction. This age is very skilled at hi-jacking a class no matter how prepared. Parisi Pee Wee coaches will need to experiment with various ways to handle these common occurrences.

The following behavior lessons are highlighted for the 4 to 7 year old child. However, you will find these lessons will be relevant when working with children 7-10 year as well. Part of building coachable athletes is teaching with the proper training behavior.

Fundamental Parisi Behavior Lessons:

• No tattling.
• Wait your turn.
• Stay in your lane.
• Only one person runs at a time (in a lane).
• Keep your hands to yourself.
• Follow the instructions.
• Stop your body.
• Return to the end of the line.
• Stay in your space or on your marker.