Thanks to the ISU College of Education, ISU students will be able to use their skills and knowledge to help area youths learn exercise techniques this April.

The ISU College of Education is hosting a four-week preschool and early elementary youth exercise program from April 5-24.

The program will be led by ISU students who are enrolled in Exercise and Sports Science 284, Elementary and Preschool Movement Education.

Kathi Thomas, associate professor of health and human performance, said the program mainly focuses on young children and the development of their motor skills.

“We will be doing running, jumping, hopping, throwing, catching and moving to music,” she said.

Thomas said the youths will also learn basic tumbling exercises and activities, including walking on a balance beam.

Cathy Curtis, college relations coordinator, said the program aims to do two things.

“Number one, this program will give college students within the departments hands-on experience working with children, and number two, it’s community outreach,” she said.

The program will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 202 of the Forker Building.

“We will have 25 students working or observing every day, so we are hoping for 20-plus children,” Thomas said.

Students who will be working with the program often have had previous experience working with children.

“I’ve had some classes already where I’ve taught dance to kids,” said Whitney Banse, junior in exercise and sport science and participant in the program.

Banse said she is excited about the program because it will give her experience with a regular class.

“I like to see their smiles. It just makes my day,” she said. “I like to know that I can teach them things they can use for the rest of their lives.”

Other students are also looking forward to the start of the session.

Bill McLaughlin, senior in exercise and sport science, said he is happy to have the chance to teach the course.

“I’m getting the opportunity to work with kids that don’t normally get to work with this type of activity,” he said.

The program is scheduled to run in the summer, too, so Thomas said she sees this as a practice time for that continuation.

Applications for the program must be filled out and returned to the health and human performance office in Room 235 of the Forker Building by April 1.

The program is open to residents of Ames and surrounding communities, and it is free of charge.