HANAPEPE — Hanapepe’s Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i is now home to a new gymnastics and developmental music programs for children up to age 10. Keiki Klubhouse is the inspiration of Aysha Tenouri, a long-time gymnastics coach who saw an opportunity
HANAPEPE — Hanapepe’s Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i is now home to a new gymnastics and developmental music programs for children up to age 10.
Keiki Klubhouse is the inspiration of Aysha Tenouri, a long-time gymnastics coach who saw an opportunity to work with young children and parents. Turning coaching experience into her own program was a challenge — but a natural next step, she said.
“I decided to do on my own what I have been doing for years,” Tenouri said.
The investment is all her own. Tenouri worked with the Small Business Development Center to put her business registration in order and the rest was about getting insurance and licensing in order.
The business plan was based on the needs of parents, she said. They spend a lot of money placing their kids in all types of programs, and it makes sense to create alternatives at a nearby location.
Tenouri said she compiled skills into lesson plans. It was while she was expecting her daughter, Evie, that she gained experience working the administrative management and marketing side of running a gymnastics program in Florida.
“Just being a coach for so many years, I never thought I would start my own business, but it just evolved into that,” Tenouri said. “It’s good to be your own business because I can do what I know needs to be done. When working for someone else, that is not always possible.”
Working with younger children was something Tenouri looked forward to because she said they are eager learners. It doesn’t feel like a job when she is coaching at the studio and keeping the bookkeeping and the business side of it at home, she said.
“You get to play with kids for a job, and who wouldn’t want to do that?” Tenouri said. “I like the smiles and the youngest kids say the funniest things that you could never make up.”
After two-months at the Koloa Community Center, she said participation and positive feedback from parents encouraged the permanent move. An agreement was reached with the theater and Tenouri said there is plenty of room on the second-floor for gymnastics, and the Kindermusic program is held in the Peace Garden.
Mark Jeffers, executive director of the nonprofit that restored the theater building and created the Peace Garden, said Aysha has a creative program.
“The great thing about Aysha’s program is that it targets new families, and that has been our focus here with the television and radio show for children for the last 14 years,” he said. “When the opportunity arises we can share our mission.”
That mission is to bring people to one of a few historical buildings that house programs for young people in Hawai‘i. He said they teach the life of the late Spark Matsunaga, a former U.S. Senator from Kukui‘ula, who serves as the inspiration for the Peace Garden.
Kindermusic
Kindermusic is an international program that Tenouri had to become licensed to teach after a training program and practice. Known as the Family Time class, she teaches parents and newborns to age 7.
Using songs, dance and storytelling, Kindermusic places an emphasis on learning basic music concepts to stir cognitive development and listening skills. There is no standard or goal to accomplish, Tenouri said, and the benefits come from participation and being involved.
“As long as they are benefiting in their own way that is fine,” she said. “The focus is on individuality and they can sit and soak it all in, participate, or run around.”
The class establishes an educational activity for the home to improve personal time, Tenouri said. The class provides a setting using music to encourage healthy development, self esteem, confidence and positive interaction with other children.
“Everything we do in class can be taken home to do with the children as well,” she said. “At the weekly class you only get 45 minutes, but at home you have unlimited time to be doing activities with them to help their development.”
Using rhythm sticks and xylophones, and other basic instruments, the children learn through music, dancing and story time with a focus on practicing to listen and pay attention.
“It’s more than just music,” she said. “It’s an educational program.”
Children older than seven can move on to the next level in schools or other programs and begin to learn music notes, terminology and vocabulary.
Gymnastics
The gymnastics classes include use of a balance beam, mini trampoline, and bars that are all at floor-level on mats. Toddlers start by learning tucks, straddle jumps, turns and other basic motion.
The core teaching is on beginner hand-stands and basic running, jumping, tumbling, climbing, swinging and stretching skills. There is also free play and groups activities and parachute play.
The benefits of gymnastics include improved physical agility, balance, coordination and strength. Other benefits building self-esteem and self-efficacy, and developing listening skills with fun activities, she said.
“When you have social interaction that is also helping to teach a child how to behave with other children and to take turns and be nice,” Tenouri said.
Lifetime of gymnastics
Tenouri said she was 8 years old when she called a local gymnastics school and told them she wanted to take lessons. Her mother was surprised at the initiative and let her sign up.
Her family lived around the country and she would continue coaching gymnastics through high school in Salinas, Calif. She also coached while earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida.
Tenouri moved to O‘ahu after college, and returned to Florida until her daughter was born in 2011. The couple preferred Hawai‘i and decided on Kaua‘i as a best place to raise their daughter.
“My psychology background has given me a lot of insight on how to interact with children, how to get a good response from them,” she said.
Gymnastics classes are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays with Mommy and Me sessions for ages 1 to 3; followed by Tumbling Tots for ages 3 to 5; and Gym Kids for ages 6 to 10.
The Kindermusic Class for newborns to age 7 is called the Family Time session and held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Both programs are year-round with a $60 month-to-month tuition and discounts for siblings and additional classes. Parents are invited to try a free class session.
Keiki Klubhouse will offer demonstrations at the Princess Kaiulani Keiki Festival in Hanapepe Oct. 19 and 20. Find out more at www.KeikiKlubhouse.com or call 492-2372.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
