LET'S PLAY TODAY® was created in 2006 by fitness pro Yvonne Kusters to inspire and empower children to see fitness as fun, playful, and lifelong. Today, LET'S PLAY TODAY® has blossomed into a mobile, educational fitness program for children ages 16 months through twelve and has spread across the country and into Australia and Canada. LET'S PLAY TODAY® provides kids exercise classes, professional development for teachers, an instructor training program, musical fitness shows, and active events for the community. Learn more by clicking here.
The LET'S PLAY TODAY® educational training component was launched to enable other fitness professionals, teachers and exercise enthusiasts to implement the program in their own locations. The training program can be done in a workshop setting or at-home and includes lesson plans, videos, handouts and everything necessary to get the fun started!
Yvonne and many others who make up the LET'S PLAY TODAY® Team, travel to schools, libraries, recreational centers and health clubs, and any other location that caters to children. LET'S PLAY TODAY® uses exciting equipment such as parachutes, balls, scarves, hoops, and noodles, running various types of classes for groups ranging from parent-and-child, to preschool age, to elementary school children. The LET'S PLAY TODAY® program is unique in that its specially-designed, age-appropriate activities blend creative thinking, sports, games, yoga, and exciting music to build a broad range of skills, confidence, social interaction, brain development and healthy habits.
In 2011, Yvonne along with Lolly Hopwood, a musician, released a children’s music CD, entitled Go! Go! Go! to complement the LET'S PLAY TODAY® program. The music and their events guide listeners through a series of lively activities, such as popping bubbles, taking an imaginary train ride, driving along to a red light/green light song, or marching around like their favorite animals. Yvonne and Lolly along with other musicians offers live concerts with a focus on health, being active and using ones imagination! Click here to learn more!
LET’S PLAY TODAY® follows youth health standards, and works with Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, other health professionals as well as teachers, to provide an exceptionally well rounded, appropriate and safe program. Join us and LET’S PLAY TODAY!
YVONNE KUSTERS, owner and founder of LET’S PLAY TODAY®, a fitness program for children ages 16 months to 12 years, dedicates herself to inspiring today’s youth toward better health. Yvonne's passion for exercise and positive well-being was the catalyst for the program, LET'S PLAY TODAY ®, which fosters a healthy foundation and lifestyle for children through creative fitness and imaginative purposeful play. After producing and developing the LET'S PLAY TODAY ® curriculum, Yvonne, along with other certified LET'S PLAY TODAY ® fitness educators, has implemented the program in preschools, recreation centers, libraries, gyms and elementary schools.
Her strong affiliation and collaboration with occupational therapists, psychologists, and teachers have helped to grow the LET'S PLAY TODAY ® curriculum into an exciting and engaged fitness program. She frequently speaks on children’s fitness topics to preschool, elementary and high school teachers as well as to other fitness professionals. As an advocate for children’s health, Yvonne has been the guest fitness expert for several 5k races, including the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and Spinal Research, where her dynamic warm up and stretching have kicked off the activities. Yvonne and LET’S PLAY TODAY®, have also been invited by Senators Tomlinson and McIlhinney to run fun fitness activities at their annual Children's Expo and Kids Fest events. Yvonne has also worked with Brownie and Girl Scout Troops , guiding them through fun, interactive exercises and cooperative group games and activities.
As a fitness company owner and director, Yvonne has shared her enthusiasm for youth health as a nationally certified group exercise instructor, presenter on wellness workshops, personal trainer, and as a health columnist. Yvonne, ACE and AFAA Certified and a member of National Association for the Education of Young Children follows national standards with her programs.
RACHEL RUEL joins the LET'S PLAY TODAY ® program with over 20 years in the fitness field working with both adults and children. Rachel enjoys teaching this exciting and interactive fitness program to children and making a positive impact on their lives.
Rachel is nationally certified though the Aerobics and Fitness Association of American in youth fitness. Rachel is currently leading the classes for 3-6 year olds at Shir Ami in Newtown.
HEIDI received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. She holds a New Jersey teaching certificate and has taught every grade from kindergarten through high school during her 12 year career.
Heidi is a graduate of West Chester University with a B.S. in education.' She has been in the fitness field for twelve years, serving as a sports specific trainer, personal trainer, and as a certified AFAA, MADDOG, FITTOUR, and AAAI group fitness trainer.' Heidi enjoys working with both children and adults and creating individualized programs for different ability and fitness levels.' With two children of her own, she recognizes the importance of creating healthy habits early in a child's life.' Heidi feels very fortunate that her love of exercise has been able to give her family a great way to bond; from riding bikes together to running with the baby jogger, to chasing the dog (and she is FAST!), the love of moving is a great gift to share! So LET'S JUMP, SHAKE, SHOUT, WIGGLE and MOVE!
MICHELE STINE is nationally certified as a personal trainer through ACE, American Council on Exercise and certified as a group fitness instructor through USWFA. Michele also received a Child Development Certification through the Delaware County Vocational Technical School.
Michele has been a volunteer Big Sister with BBBS in Frederick County for 4 years and was awarded a Governor's Citation for her service involving children and Special Olympics. After serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a military Police officer for 8 years and as a State Trooper for 9 years, Michele really enjoys motivating children to be active and healthy! Currently, Michele is an active member of Mt. Carmel UMC, serving as treasurer of our United Methodist Women's group, coordinator of the mentoring program and teacher of the Let's Play Today program.
STACEY PAVLAK graduated from Virginia Tech where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with children and teenagers within her community both as a member of the LET'S PLAY TODAY ® organization and also as a volleyball coach.
Currently, Stacey is in the process of becoming an Occupational Therapist for children.
SHERI KATZ-SCHNUR received her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Temple University in the mid 1980's and has been very involved in the fitness industry for the past 25 years. She has worked in several gyms on the east coast teaching group exercise classes, training small groups and one-on one training. Sheri holds a certification from AAAI and participates in continuing education through a variety of professional organizations, including ACE and IDEA. Sheri has had great success working with individuals, and groups of all ages, helping them to achieve their fitness and weight loss goals in a fun and safe environment. Sheri is extremely passionate about fitness and truly loves her work, helping and inspiring others to meet their fitness goals. Her own workouts include weight training, cardio, balance, and flexibility and running after her 5 year old daughter.
KAREN DAGENAIS is a longtime personal trainer, pre-school fitness instructor and martial artist. She has been certified by the International Sports Sciences Association and has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The mother of two teenagers, Karen is the Fitness Coordinator at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, PA, where she teaches sports, fitness and karate to 2-6 year olds.
Karen enjoys competing in karate tournaments throughout the region. She has organized fitness fairs and kids' games at local races and fundraising events. She is happy to be part of the Let's Play Today team and is available to lead birthday parties or classes.
TAMMY FROMMELT owned and operated three large childcare centers in Iowa for several years. One of her favorite activities was encouraging the teachers and children to move, jump, dance and be active through out the day. This is where her love for Let's Play Today came from!
Tammy is excited to be doing what she is truly passionate about and brings lots of laughter and fun to her classes. Tammy is the troop leader for her 6 year old Daisy Girl Scout Troop. She also enjoys volunteering with many different organizations and participating and supporting Susan B Komen events through out the country. Tammy is happy and excited to be part of the Let's Play Today team!
LEKESSIA JONES enjoys time with her family, reading, dancing, and working with children. For her, it is an awesome experience to impact a child's life in a positive way.
She has her CDA in child development and holds a national personal trainer certification through NASM. She has also received and has her CES and PES certifications. Lekessia finds that as she touches the lives of these families, her life is rewarded as well!
DANIELA HUDSON, originally from Uruguay, now resides in the United States for the past 18 years. She came to the US with a full Tennis and Soccer scholarship and graduated with a degree in Health and Exercise Science from Centenary College Of Louisiana. Daniela is a nationally certified personal trainer thru Cooper Institute and trains at the Park Cities YMCA. She has been coaching kids soccer for 14 years and has been the director of Fun and Games at St. Marks Summer Camp since 2009. She speaks and writes both English and Spanish fluently.
Daniela loves working with children because it gives her great satisfaction to be a positive influence and provide exercise and nutrition ideas, and a happy environment for them to learn and grow. No other job can give you the sort of fulfillment in knowing that you have helped educate and entertain children.
LISA HOJNOWSKI is the Owner of Jump, Jive & Play, a mobile enrichment program specializing in fitness and music classes for children. She has over 15 years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a variety of settings. Former positions include: Program Director of a national play and music program, Lead Teacher in a child care center and Instructor of a kids’ tumbling and fitness program. Most recently, she has been working as a Registered Music Together Teacher, teaching both preschool and family classes. Lisa is thrilled to add the LET'S PLAY TODAY® program to Jump, Jive & Play and looks forward to bringing “Fitness That Rocks” to children throughout Union County, NC.
follows and stays up to date with the youth fitness standards set by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Lets Play Today also follows the guidelines in the Kids in Motion Specialty Certification through SCW Fitness. As a member of NAEYC, we also strive to meet the national standards and offer health and fitness workshops for the community. We have a strong connection with occupational therapists, psychologists, school counselors, and teachers to grow our curriculum and our knowledge to support, encourage, and work with children.
OUR MISSION is to support children in a nurturing and empowering environment that will build motor skills and confidence for life. During every class our focus is to make a positive difference and improve the lives of children. Our goal is to offer kids the opportunity to be active by reaching out to elementary schools, daycares, and preschools. LET'S PLAY TODAY, and start creating a healthy foundation to combat childhood obesity!
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