New to TennisCambridge: Tiny Tots Tennis

Cambridge Tennis Club has developed and is rolling out the Tiny Tots Tennis program for 2025. Based on the Ontario Tennis Association's "Tennis For Schools" program, Tiny Tots Tennis provides pre-tennis activities in a fun environment for three and four year olds. These activities include fun drills in movement, manipulative activities and striking activities, all focused at progressing children's success at the mini-tennis level.

If successful, the program may be rolled out to the other TennisCambridge clubs. Program lesson plans and checklists are provided in the Marketing materials section of this website.

An overview of the program is shown in the following video:

In the past, it has been a challenge to integrate some of the younger players into the mini-tennis group of players, despite individualized coaching. The age range for mini-tennis is such that the older kids have a physical advantage in terms of age and development. Tiny Tots are less developed and many need more guidance. In some cases, parents will be required to assist on the court at the start.

With Tiny Tots Tennis, students learn to move more efficiently through structured and fun movement activities. Next, they learn manipulative activities designed to improve their perceptions of balls in motion. Tiny Tots students learn to apply the knowledge they have learned by using their hands to strike first balloons then soft balls, resulting in an innate ability to hit the sweet spot. When ready to step up to the min-tennis level, they will have improved movement skills and eye-hand coordination.

About Tiny Tots Tennis

Sessions are tailored to fit into 45 minutes. This avoids lapses in the focus of students. After all, at this early age, there are many other important matters to explore. The goal is to retain attention through fun activities. Content is delivered as needed, meaning that if a group masters material in 4 weeks, mission accomplished. If a group takes a bit longer, the program is extended until the content is mastered. The Tiny Tots Tennis program is designed to be an engaging continuum of drills and biomechanics that will win over hearts and build confidence to succeed and progress.

New in 2025, Cambridge Tennis Club offers a revolutionary new tennis program aimed at younger children. Until now, children needed to be at least 4 years old to enter mini-tennis. Even at this age, they faced challenges in the group. Now, kindergarten children and earlier have the opportunity to start the tennis journey. The program, called Tiny Tots Tennis, reinforces early childhood tennis development in the areas of efficient movement, eye-hand coordination skills, and improved ball-striking skills. The program forms a solid foundation for the tennis fundamentals delivered in the mini-tennis program (for 5-7 year olds). The quest to develop the next generation tennis superstar thus begins.

Manipulative: Dropping the ball

3 year old Adam holds a ball in preparation for dropping and letting it bounce.

New to Tennis

For many students, Tiny Tots Tennis will be their first exposure to tennis. It is offered in May and June as a free program for members, teaching students valuable movement, manipulative, and striking skills. Tiny Tots Tennis also raises student and parent awareness of the vibrant learning culture of Cambridge Tennis Club.

Manipulative: Bouncing the ball

Adam watches the ball as it bounces and prepares to catch it.