National Alliance for Youth Sports

Q: How can I run Start Smart in my Community?

Step 1: Fill out and send in the order form for the appropriate Start Smart program. You can order online by visiting our Online Store, download the order forms directly from this Website, or you can request information from our National office and we will mail them to you.

Step 2: Appoint a coordinator to run your program and reserve a location (recreation center, school gym, etc).

Step 3: Start recruiting parent-child groups. A parent MUST attend EVERY session with his or her child.

Step 4: Review all of the activities and equipment that is included in your Starter and Participant Kits prior to your program start date.

Step 5: Run with it! One hour per week of quality time for children and parents. You can run any of the Start Smart programs numerous times throughout the year.

Q: What type of facility do I need to run a Start Smart program?
A: Start Smart programs can be run indoors or outside because the programs focus on teaching children the basic motor skills that they need to play organized sports in the future, so you don't need a baseball diamond for Start Smart Baseball or multipurpose field for Start Smart Soccer. The programs can be run in a large meeting room.

Q: How long are the programs?
A: All of the Start Smart programs are set up to be run for one hour per week for 6 weeks with the activities that are included in the Coordinator Manual. A "Parent Meeting" should be held one week prior to beginning the actual program to introduce the parents to your Start Smart program and show them the "Model Youth Sport Parent" video.

Q: As a parent, can Start Smart really improve my relationship with my child?
A: Studies of parents who completed Start Smart with their child found that:

•	Nearly 70% of parents reported improvement in their relationship with their child as a result of participating in Start Smart.
•	95% of parents who participated in Start Smart said they have learned new ways to help their child learn and develop sports skills.
•	74% of parents experienced an increase in the awareness of their child's physical capabilities due to Start Smart.
•	67% of parents say they are more likely to be involved in their child's sports experiences due to the program.
•	Parents in at-risk families who completed the Start Smart program with their child reported more positive parenting attitudes and behaviors, as well as better parent-child relationships.

Q: As a parent, how can I find a Start Smart program in my community?
A: Call your local recreation agency to ask if they are running a Start Smart program. The National office can also tell you which of the Start Smart programs are running in your community. Reach us at 1-800-729-2057.

Start Smart at Home Program Questions:

Q: How can I run Start Smart from my own home?

Step 1: Fill out and send in the order form for the appropriate Start Smart program. You can order online by visiting our Online Store or click here to get some more information prior to ordering.

Step 2: Upon receiving your kit, please read through the program manual as it will give you complete instructions on how to properly conduct the Start Smart at Home program.

Step 3: Try to set aside at least one hour per week to conduct your Start Smart at Home session. Feel free to practice the skills learned between sessions.

Step 4: Remember to complete the Pre-test and Post-test to get an objective evaluation of where your child excels and where he/she may need more practice.

Step 5: Feel free to run the program as many time as you would like by increasing the difficulty of each skill as your child progresses. The manual is designed for beginners but you can easily deviate from the curriculum to add your own challenges to meet your child's abilities.

Q: What type of space do I need to run a Start Smart at Home program?
A: Start Smart at Home programs can be run indoors or outside because the programs focus on teaching your child the basic motor skills that they need to play organized sports in the future, so you don't need a baseball diamond for Start Smart Baseball or multipurpose field for Start Smart Soccer. You can easily use your yard, a park, your driveway or even a large open room such as a basement for your Start Smart at Home program.

Q: How long are the programs?
A: All of the Start Smart at Home programs are set up to be run for one hour per week for 6 weeks with the activities that are included in the Program Manual. However, the purpose of the Start Smart at Home program is to allow you to set your own schedule so as the "coordinator" of the program, you have the freedom to go through the program at your own pace.

Q: As a parent, can Start Smart really improve my relationship with my child?
A: Studies of parents who completed Start Smart with their child found that:

• Nearly 70% of parents reported improvement in their relationship with their child as a result of participating in Start Smart.

• 95% of parents who participated in Start Smart said they have learned new ways to help their child learn and develop sports skills.

• 74% of parents experienced an increase in the awareness of their child's physical capabilities due to Start Smart.

• 67% of parents say they are more likely to be involved in their child's sports experiences due to the program.

• Parents in at-risk families who completed the Start Smart program with their child reported more positive parenting attitudes and behaviors, as well as better parent-child relationships.

Q: Why would I choose to run my own Start Smart at Home program rather than go to a recreation department?
A: The goal of the Start Smart at Home program is to allow parents to give their child a proper start in sports if a Start Smart or similar program isn't offered in your community by a recreation agency. Programs aren't always going to fit into a family's schedule or be easily accessible. The Start Smart at Home program will provide your child with the same skills as thousands of other children around the country, but at your convenience.