Stretch-n-Grow is ‘exerciting'

It's exerciting!

"What muscles do you sit on?" Liza Dutchover said to the rambunctious kids.

"The gluteus maximus!" the children said in unison.

The children, all 3 to 5 years old, are participating in a fitness and nutrition class called Stretch-n-Grow.

Dutchover, who is a coach for Stretch-n-Grow, led the children in games, stretching and even a lesson about the major muscle groups of the body. Franchise owner Betty Godfrey said that parents are often amazed at what their children have learned in the classes.

Godfrey said the goal of Stretch-n-Grow is to teach kids at an early age the importance of lifelong health. She said that childhood obesity is a growing problem, literally. She said if children learn at an early age to enjoy exercise and to make wise food choices, then it easy to continue the habits on into adulthood.

Lessons are focused on developing children's basic motor skills, balance and coordination. Although the classes are structured and each activity has its own objective, the children can participate at their own pace. While some children took occasional breaks, others were running circles around the other kids.

"I like to dance and turn around," 4-year-old Hayden Miller said. Miller was one of those energetic and boisterous boys who seemed to thrive from the activity.

Three-year-old Isabella Gray said she has really learned to like exercise.

Stretch-n-Grow is a franchise operation that goes into preschools, daycares and private schools once a week for 30 minutes. In Odessa alone, Stretch-n-Grow visits 16 different childcare establishments. All coaches are certified through Stretch-n-Grow and have teacher credentials as defined by the state.

When the music gets playing and kids start bouncing, Godfrey said occasionally she sees other people join in.

"Some of the teachers participate; it's wonderful," she said.

Health encompasses much more than just getting moving. Stretch-n-Grow also gives lessons on safety, nutrition and hygiene. Car and water safety lessons are taught, and Godfrey said the lessons are given when they are most relevant - for example, water safety is taught in the summer.

Stretch-n-Grow involves and informs the parents with monthly newsletters. Godfrey said she hopes this will encourage parents to continue to promote the good habits at home.

Even with the serious subject matter in the lessons and exercise, Godfrey said it is still important for the children to have fun and if screaming and laughing are enough feedback, then she thinks they're having a great time.

"They love it; they're screaming. That's what awesome about our class, they don't realize it's exercise," Godfrey said.

Locations

>> Aladdin's Castle, 3850 N. Englewood Lane.

>> Antioch Christian Church, 4040 Maple Ave.

>> Crossroads, 2802 N. County Road.

>> Cumberland Presbyterian, 1415 N. Grandview Ave.

>> Daystar Kids, 2008 N. Lincoln Ave.

>> First Baptist Church, 709 N. Lee Ave.

>> First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Ave.

>> Kiddie Kollege, 1919 N. Lee Ave.

>> Linda's Little Angels Learning Center, 2425 E. 11th St.

>> Montessori School, 2115 N. Grandview Ave.

>> Odessa Christian School, 2000 Doran Drive.

>> St. John's Episcopal Church, 401 N. West County Road.

>> St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 1601 E. 42nd St.

>> Tender Blessings, 9024 W. 16th St.

>> Permian Basin Rehab Center, 620 N. Alleghaney Ave.

>> Call: Betty Godfrey at 631-1518.