Wellness > Testimonials

Testimonials

Alphabet Fitness Program

Janice S. Kahn, Ph.D., Parent and Health Educator, Boston, MA
Using the latest understanding of brain physiology and the development of neurological pathways for learning, Wellness, Inc. has designed an educational program that perfectly suits young children's growing brains and bodies. Kids love that the program speaks to the active way they learn, making it a fun, more effective program. Children learn pre-literacy skills through play and with great enthusiasm. All of this makes it a model for the 21st Century.

Joan Palladino, Director, Dean College School of Dance
The strong point of Alphabet Fitness is that it provides a learning environment for a child that is playlike. As they play, they are learning as opposed to just sitting. So as they play, they learn at a much faster pace. ...Kids want to share their knowledge, to take turns. [As they shape their letters,] they are learning sport and dance movements. They are learning all kinds of movements that will carry on in life. They are learning the sharpness and softness of movement, the postures, how to speak and present themselves. We are almost getting into early public speaking!

Michele Roumo, Boston, MA
Prior to Alphabet Fitness we used flash cards and Hooked on Phonics to help kids work on the alphabet, which worked nicely, but were sedentary. Kids have lots of energy and to sit is like torture. With Alphabet Fitness, they can use their bodies to move around which is natural for them. ... Shy kids tend to be loners, playing parallel and outside the group. Because this is fun, they work more together and WANT to be involved. Their language skills are enhanced along with their muscle skills.

Marie Uttech, East YMCA, Madison, Wisconsin
The children all enjoyed experiencing this new and fun way to learn the alphabet. Thank you for sharing this exciting and innovative approach to learning.

Alphabet Fitness Guide

Holly Miller, Early Childhood/Special Education, Horicon, Wisconsin (April 2001)
You have authored a book that teachers can pick up and use (almost the first day). I am planning my first day of summer school, and will try to condense the exercises into three weeks. I am going to start with Breathing Bubbles and then return to Relax like an Animal and Noodle Soup. The plan is based upon not knowing the kids yet and knowing how important breathing is and BUBBLES!. A good ice-breaker and way to get to know your activity. Thank You!

Dr. Karen VanderVen, Professor, Child Development, Dept. of Education, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Throw away those developmentally inappropriate worksheets that supposedly teach letters to very young preschoolers! If you want to promote literacy, along with large muscle coordination, through fun activities, get the Alphabet Fitness Guide. Kids develop a kinesthetic awareness of alphabet representations - fundamental for reading and for developing social skills, physical health, and emotional well-being!

Leonard Shlain, Author of "Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image"
Congratulations! Great job. By using the child's body movements, Karen Voght has integrated a right hemispheric means of learning into the predominantly left brain hemispheric process of learning the alphabet. Small children will develop a muscular memory for alphabetic learning which will prove very beneficial.

Kids' Wellness Program

Benjamin Webman, Ph.D., Department of Education, Connecticut
I have administered endless numbers of IQ tests to young children and have never experienced such a quickness in comfort factor and focus as I observed in the children who had received the Kids' Wellness Programs.

Elizabeth B. Langan, Ph.D., Director of School Age Child Care, YMCA, Dorchester, MA
Scripts are infinitely useful and expandable. They don't wear out!" especially with inner city population where repetition, consistency, reliability are key. Three weeks into the curriculum, we were astounded to see one of our kids who had A.D.D. and serious behavioral problems intervene in a conflict between two other children by calmly reaching toward both of them and announcing 'I think we need to blow some bubbles!' Kids' Wellness provided individual children with healthy and expressive ways of identifying and coping with their own feelings, and the feelings of others; and it provided an incredibly efficient and effective in-house training for staff in positive behavior management strategies.

Kristine Torjesen, M.D., MPH, Pediatrician, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
The Kids' Wellness program provides wonderful and imaginative exercises through which children can learn to use the mind-body connection for relaxation and positive self-control. The program would be a great addition to pediatric clinics and hospitals. The exercises give children a sense of mastery over their minds and bodies, which in turn can help diminish their fear in medical environments.

Mark D. Hurwitz, Jump Start, Inc., Sport Consulting Services & Peak Performance Training
Kids' Wellness looks to develop mental skills in young children, empowering them to face the 21st Century head-on with the abilities to be positive, to relax and to imagine...to be confident. Sport Psychology is often the answer to help athletes "get" better. Kids' Wellness helps children to "live" better.

Kids' Wellness Guide

Michele Roumo, Boston, MA (January 14, 2000)
The Kids' Wellness Guide is awesome. I am currently using it in my Kindergarten Program at the Roxbury Family YMCA in Boston. I have observed a tremendous change in my students' social skills, language development and self-esteem. I also like the school to home connection and skills reinforcement the manual helps us to incorporate into our curriculum. This manual is a must for any child care program!

Janice S. Kahn, Ph.D., Parent and Health Educator, Boston, MA (January 12, 2000)
S-Well Kids! The Kids' Wellness Guide is most timely in offering teachers, parents, and caregivers a valuable resource to help kids tap their own natural strengths for positively dealing with the challenges and stresses of today's "hurried" world. It trains young children in core wellness skills such as relaxation, visualization, focusing and balance through unique "imagination workouts". These inventive activities are fun for kids at home, at school and at play. An exciting and needed addition to the literature. It makes smart sense to proactively introduce wellness concepts to our young children. Highly recommended.

Roger Klein, Psy.D., Wisconsin (December 17, 1999)
The Kids' Wellness Guide is a welcome addition to the limited resources available for stress reduction for young children. The user friendly style of presentation contributes to its usefulness. As a child psychologist I have been using this program as an intervention for young children with anxiety disorders. This is a must read for all therapists working with children!