THE PROFESSION
What is Kinderkinetics?
Kinderkinetics is a profession focused on the scientifically based gross motor development of children from birth to 13 years. It develops the child holistically by optimizing motor skills, improving health and providing remedial intervention of a preventive nature, all guided by formal, standardized assessment.
Born from pediatric exercise-science research at the North-West University in 1994, it is today a trademark-protected profession practiced only by Kinderkineticists that are Honours-qualified health practitioners registered with SAPIK.
How a Kinderkineticist works
1
Identify
Children are enrolled by parents or identified by schools, day-cares and health professionals.
2
Assess
A formal assessment with standardized protocols plus medical history for children with special needs which establishes each child’s level and needs.
3
Programme
An individualised, scientifically based programme is designed around the child’s developmental needs and goals.
4
Re-assess & report
The same assessments are repeated at regular intervals, generating pre- and post-reports that prove progress.
Standardised protocols include the PDMS-2 (Babies), TGMD-3, BOT-2, MABC-2 and Fitnessgram — chosen to match each child's age and reason for referral.
Areas of Practice
The Kinderkinetics scope of practice spans the typically developing child through to adapted programmes for children with special needs.
Area 01
Optimisation
Age-specific development for the typically developing child, from first milestones to refined sport skills.
0–2 · Baby programme
2–7 · Fundamental skills
7–13 · Sport & fitness
Area 02
Health improvement
Individualised programmes for children whose health risks affect their motor development.
Obesity
Asthma
Epilepsy
Heart conditions
Inactivity
Area 03
Remedial & adapted
Preventive, remedial intervention for children with delays, disabilities and postural deviations.
Motor deficits · DCD
Learning-related
Disabilities
Posture
Programmes
AGES 0–2
Baby programme
Early sensory-motor stimulation and baby massage that develop reflexes, grasping, locomotor and object-control milestones.
AGES 2–7
Fundamental movement
Group lessons laying the locomotor, balance and manipulation foundation plus the perceptual skills behind school readiness.
AGES 2–7
Mini-sport & swimming
A playful introduction to basic sport skills, toddler gymnastics, and water-safety-first swimming classes.
AGES 7–9
Sport development
The ABCs of athleticism covers agility, balance, coordination, all refined into the basic skills of soccer, rugby, netball, hockey and more.
AGES 10–13
Well-being & fitness
Go-Girls aerobics and 4-Boys strength programmes, with technique-first resistance training and lifelong healthy habits.
AGES 0–13
Remedial & adapted
Individualised support for DCD, learning-related difficulties, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and postural deviations like scoliosis and flat feet.
Becoming a Kinderkineticist
A protected profession with one route in: university training in Kinderkinetics, followed by annual SAPIK registration.
1
A three-year BA/BSc degree with Human Movement Science as a major and a Honors/Masters degree with Kinderkinetics specialization.
2
An Honours degree specialising in Kinderkinetics, combining academic training with 300 practical hours in an accredited practice.
3
Training at one of four institutions: North-West University, University of the Free State, Stellenbosch University or Centurion Academy.
4
Registration with SAPIK. Renewed every year to keep practicing under the Kinderkinetics® name.
A shorter route. A Human Movement Science degree or accredited diploma plus the Kinderkinetics workshop and a supervised portfolio which qualifies you as an Assistant Kinderkineticist, working with typically developing children.
300 practical hours before you qualify
Honours students complete supervised hours in an accredited Kinderkinetics practice. Real children, real programmes, real accountability.
Where to study
North-West University
3+1 MODEL
Two routes: the 3+1 model (BHSc in Human Movement Sciences followed by Honours with Kinderkinetics), or a four-year professional Biokinetics degree with Kinderkinetics specialisation.
APS 24
Matric exemption
Average pass of 60%
Language level 4
PROGRAMME LEADER
Prof. Dané Coetzee
dane.coetzee@nwu.ac.za · 018 299 1792
Stellenbosch University
3+1 MODEL
BSc (Sport Science) followed by BScHons Sport Science with Kinderkinetics specialisation. The BA (Sport Science) route is being phased out with no new intake.
Average 65% (excl. LO)
Physical Sciences – 4
Language – 4
Mathematics – 5
PROGRAMME LEADER
Prof. Eileen Africa
africa@sun.ac.za · 021 808 4591
Admission details are taken from each institution's published information and are subject to change, confirm with the programme leader before applying. Contact details are available from SAPIK via the
Who can refer a child?
Anyone who cares about a child's development. Parents can enroll children directly, no professional referral needed. Children are also identified by day-care centres, schools and health-care professionals, including:
Parents
Teachers
Medical doctors
Neurologists
Psychologists
Educational psychologists
Dieticians
Speech therapists
Physiotherapists
Play therapists
Occupational therapists
Social workers
And when a child needs help outside the Kinderkinetics scope of practice, the Kinderkineticist refers on to the appropriate professional.
