Motor Activity Clinic

During the spring semester of my junior year (2025–2026), I had the opportunity to serve as a Movement Coach for the Motor Activity Clinic (MAC). Having previously volunteered with MAC for several semesters, transitioning into an official coaching role allowed me to apply my prior experience while independently planning both gym and pool activities.

This semester, I worked with a participant named Caiden, with the primary goal of improving sport-specific skills and gross motor development, including proper techniques for soccer, baseball, and hockey. During the first three weeks, my greatest challenge was encouraging him to engage in new sports and structured, collaborative activities. He initially preferred running, jumping, and navigating obstacle courses rather than participating in sport-based tasks such as passing drills. To increase engagement, I adapted activities to align with his interests. After noticing his enjoyment of block stacking, I created a game called “Block Stacking Collapse,” where he built towers and practiced throwing and aiming at them, similar to baseball skills. This approach successfully transitioned him from primarily fine motor play toward more sport-related activities.

Between weeks three and five, we focused on teamwork and cooperative skills. Caiden quickly developed an interest in basketball bounce passes and enthusiastically practiced bouncing various types of balls. We also introduced soccer drills emphasizing footwork and passing. Surprisingly, hockey became his favorite activity. Although he initially struggled with proper stick grip, consistent practice led to noticeable improvements in passing accuracy and force production.

In the pool setting, Caiden demonstrated high confidence and enjoyed full-body submersion and free play. Encouraging participation in structured pool games was initially challenging, as he preferred independent activities such as jumping and splashing. With support from a volunteer, we incorporated competitive elements into games, using prompts like “Who can throw the highest?” or “Who can make the biggest splash?” to motivate participation. One of my favorite memories was watching Caiden and another participant jump into the pool together, both smiling and fully engaged in the experience.

This experience significantly contributed to my growth as a student and hopefully a future PT. I developed skills in fostering a positive and supportive environment where participants feel safe exploring new activities. I also strengthened my leadership and assertiveness when guiding my client through unfamiliar challenges. My greatest takeaway was the importance of bringing consistent enthusiasm and positivity to each session, recognizing that coaches serve as key sources of encouragement and support for the children we work with. I believe these skills well serve to help me be a more compassionate and understanding in my future profession.