Empower Language Academy was founded on the principle that children are made to move. In children’s play, we see curiosity and movement, the perfect combination to support rapid growth and exploration in a healthy childhood. Despite this knowledge, we still see a trend toward a more sedentary lifestyle, with screen time increasing and physical education budgets decreasing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this trend, with a new study showing significant weight gain occurred during the pandemic among youths, especially among the youngest children.
Now more than ever, Empower Language Academy aims to kindle that spark of joy that young children have for movement. Our small, free charter school in Linda Vista harnesses children’s energy and curiosity to develop a lifelong love of fitness.
Fitness Forward Mission
Mind, Muscles, and Heart is our mantra at Empower Language Academy. We are a hands-on, inquiry-based school that believes in active movement as a means to learn. To develop the “muscles” part of our mantra, we chose to put exercise at the front of our curriculum.
We are fitness forward because of the positive effects of exercise for young children:
- An immediate, and long-lasting, boost in brainpower!
- Increased concentration on learning tasks
- Stress reduction and greater ability to handle tough situations
- Decrease in undesired behaviors by providing a positive outlet for energy
- Strong, healthy bodies
- Joy!
By carving out time for fitness at school when children are around their peers, we create a social environment that makes fitness fun. Children are more likely to do what their friends do—making fitness class at school a pathway to lifelong health and wellness.
CrossFit Kids
How do we focus on fitness? With CrossFit Kids! With the help of our CrossFit coach (and founding parent!), children are taught safe, efficient and functional movements. Classes are organized around short, age-appropriate workouts that encourage children to reach goals. The warm-ups, workouts, and games are all equally fun–even the youngest children in our school enjoy CrossFit class.
CrossFit Kids focuses on the 10 fitness domains: balance, coordination, flexibility, agility, control, precision, strength, power, endurance, and the ability to move at different speeds. By developing all 10 domains from the start, we support children to specialize in any sport as they grow, or successfully transition between sports as they find their passion. We also reduce common overuse injuries through this balanced approach.
Pop into one of our CrossFit Kids classes and you’ll see joy and pride on the faces of our young children. It may be hard work, but it’s never more than they can handle and they celebrate their achievements and cheer each other on!
Physical Education
On top of our stellar CrossFit Kids program, students at Empower Language Academy also receive PE instruction within their homeroom classes. Students have the opportunity to practice throwing balls and mastering handstands, among other essential skills. We align our PE teaching with the California standards for physical education and all of our teachers are on board with our commitment to fitness.
Our “scholars on top, athletes on the bottom” school uniforms make jumping into fitness class or navigating the monkey bars at recess easy. Kids are comfortable and enjoy our non-restrictive uniform.
If you think your K-6 child would thrive in an environment that celebrates our natural desire to move, we welcome you to check us out and see the joy that a fitness forward curriculum cultivates in our small school.
About Empower Language Academy
Empower Language Academy innovates in immersive dual language learning, fitness and technology to create global citizens. Our holistic approach to Spanish immersion empowers a generation of creative thinkers and effective communicators to lead healthy and fit lifestyles. Our tuition-free public charter school serving grades K-6 is a caring community; providing students from all backgrounds with an educational experience that honors multilingualism, critical thinking, and fitness. Join us in convenient Linda Vista. Enrolling now!