Musical Freeze!

If you have a gathering of little-ones this weekend the 'Freeze' game would be a fun activity to get everyone running around and working off the candy in their systems. You will need some music and each child will need their own bubble space to begin.

Musical Freeze - play some music and encourage the kiddos to dance. When the music stops - Freeze immediately and hold it.

Award prizes - candy/stickers/erasers etc. Declare out loud to group what the winner did well. This gives feedback to the rest of the group and cues the learner to how to improve their performance for the next round.

Happy Halloween for those who celebrate it!

Mirror Mirror

Children love to observe themselves in the mirror.....a whole lot of understandings and connections begin and continue to take place when then do.

Recently, we were at a shopping venue and saw our image on the security camera, and it was noted by the Preschooler that the image was "...not the same side".

So we have been playing 'Mirror Mirror' today to capitalize on the episode. It is a fun game and a good opportunity to talk about opposites, object, image, left and right.

Ask your Preschooler to pretend they are looking into the mirror - they are the object, you are the image and you copy their actions.

Swap over. When it is your turn model good posture and slow but interesting movements that increases their repertoire of actions. Enlist other Preschoolers to play with yours.

Bricoleurs in the house

My Preschooler has fully embraced the 'Bricolage' philosophy from her kindergarten.

We spent the afternoon playing the game she made up today.

Pretty simple really -  get the ball into the tub with the stick. Hit it as many times as you need.
Me: 6 hits to get it in
Preschooler: 3

The beauty in this was the thinking that went into this activity and how it evolved as she wandered around the backyard picking up and contemplating the usefulness of each item. When I was initially enlisted to play, it  was called 'The Running Game'.

How hard was it to allow for the free, but controlled, flow of ideas? Very.

Lucky to 'Throw like a girl'

Last night on National Television, an Anti-war activist threw his shoes at an ex-Prime Minister of Australia. He apparently missed by quite a bit but did cause some havoc and created a lot of attention.

He later admitted that he did not have a good throw and that he was mocked by people who knew him for 'throwing like a girl'. When interviewed he said "Quite a few people have said I throw like a girl, which I think is a bit of an insult because I’ve seen some pretty good shots from women".

Yes..it is an insult. Whatever point made with that stunt was at the expense of many girls.

Maybe he could do with some lessons from some girls I know.

Fast, Faster, Fastest

The ability to vary the intensity of effort is important - not only in a sporting setting but also as we go about our daily tasks and when at play.

Preschoolers can begin to use the language to convey, discuss and experience what it feels like to work at varying efforts.

We live quite close to an athletics track - modified for school children - and we use it for running whenever we can. At the finish line at the end of the straight, I often ask my Preschooler if she could have gone any faster...and her response is often "...yes..." 

I use opportunities like this to discuss 'effort' - how hard one works. These opportunities pop up often...when playing with balls, pushing the wagon around the backyard...jumping on the spot..etc

In many sports, games and activities being able to vary and accurately apply the correct and appropriate intensity to an action is essential.

Do This, Don't do That!

A Game for listening and following directions.

Face your Preschooler(s). The idea is for them to follow your lead and copy your actions...ie. touch your elbows, shoulders, hands in the air etc and as you are doing these actions, say "Do this".

But they are not to do the actions that accompany the words "Do That". So it would go like this: "Do This" (touch your nose), "Do This" (touch your shoulders), "Do This" (touch your elbows), "Do This" (touch your hips), "Do This"(touch your ears), "Do That - (touch your head)..at which point the Preschooler should not move and have their hands still on their ears.

Initially, use a comfortable pace and increase it accordingly. Good for groups of children of various ages.

As for all games, quit - preferably - before any signs of the little-ones being 'over' the game...keep it fun to return to play another day.

Musical Hoops

Today we had several little ones running around the backyard with Hula Hoops whilst mums waited patiently to reacquainted themselves with the skill.

I was reminded of a game I play in a Physical Education class setting - but it would work as a party game. As yet, I have not played it in a social setting but I am pretty sure it would be a winner.

Musical Hoops - it is a non elimination game and involves hoops, children, and music or a musical instrument. Begin with a ratio of 3 students to every hoop. When the music begins, the children run, skip, gallop. When the music stops, they are to stop also and move into a hoop. It is a cooperation game so as many as possible is permitted in the hoop. Each time the music stops - remove a hoop and the game becomes a little more interesting as the group works as a whole to squeeze many people into the diminishing number of hoops.

Every time I play this game, I am uplifted - as are the students - by the spirit of cooperation and goodwill in the room.

There is only one rule - no body part is on floor outside the hoop...everything else is accepted. Try it out on adults.

Hula Hoop fun #2

With the weather being so enticing we have been spending late afternoons out in the backyard - our Preschooler gets really involved in her role playing, today it was making chocolate - aka mud - smoothies and our Toddler limps around with his wagon (still with a toddler fracture) and me working in the garden.

The hula hoops hang at the ready on the back porch and I have found them to be a very fun way to break up the tedious back breaking work of weeding on my hands and knees.

I can not remember learning how to hula hoop...so I performed a search for instructions that covered what I know about this skill. Why reinvent the wheel?

• Hold the hoop at the waist with one hand on either side of it.
• Position feet slightly wider than hip width apart.
• Move one foot a bit in front of the other.
• Move the hoop so that it is touching one hip.
• Spin the hoop and let go to set it spinning around the middle of the body.
• Shift weight from one foot to the other, making hips rock from side to side.
• Coordinate movements so that the hip bumps the hoop as it rotates.
• Persistence

Point number 8 is my contribution. I must say that at this early stage of learning this skill, it almost seems an impossible task. But as I told my little one today...we are not born knowing how to do everything. We all have to learn how to do things...small steps first, and then a lot of practice.

The above is the basic method but the hoops can be rotated over the wrists, arms, legs, thighs, and shoulders. Once the basic movement is mastered it is possible to move the hoop up and down the body without stopping the rotation.




"...try, have a go, try again, keep trying, don't stop trying, take a break and go back to it.."

Hula Hoop fun

 

I have hula hoops of various sizes at home and have generally used them as targets on the ground or tied to the fence. Yesterday however, I was reminded of using them for its intended purpose -  hula hooping around the waist.

When I was younger, I could hula hoop for long periods but today, I found it quite tricky to keep the momentum going. Still, it was impressive to my Preschooler

Of course, she wanted to learn. We began by using the hula hoop on the arm...much more success that way. It gave her the opportunity to feel the force of the hoop traveling in the opposite direction to the arm - scaffolding the experience.

Lots of fun...I had to stop myself from taking over. Had so much fun, I did not get a chance to pick up the camera.  

Have on hand various sizes of hoops to suit the hooper.

Happy hooping!

Review: other blogs

I really like the content of this blog - the current topics being discussed, the ideas and the information offered are all very interesting and useful.

I have many other blogs and sites I refer to - and would like to begin sharing them here. Look for it on the right hand side column.

The Body Smart blog

I hope you like it too.

Running

Last Sunday I took the little ones to cheer their dadda towards the finish line in the Melbourne Marathon.
We were surrounded by lots of people who were running or supporters of running - and it was fantastic to be right in the thick of it at the MCG. People of all ages, shapes and sizes were involved in running various distances - all having a go and challenging themselves to just complete the distance or better their best times.

It was very inspiring. ".....Wow mumma...lots of people like to run!...."

While we were looking out for dadda to enter the stadium, we obeserved with great interest the running styles on display. It is not surprising that the early finishers in the Marathon had very efficient running styles - even right at the end when their energy levels were depleted.

Not everyone will aspire to be marathoners, but everyone should be able to experience the simple pure joy of running - and being able to run efficiently adds to that enjoyment whether by reducing injuries and/or running longer distances or shorter times.

Unlike walking, developing an efficient running style is no accident.

Look for and encourage the following in Preschoolers:
1. Eyes focused forward and head is steady
2. Elbows and knees are close to right angles
3. Arms swinging forward and backwards in opposition and parallel
4. High knee lifts at each running step
5. Soft shoulders

Well done, dadda!

Angry Cats...

We usually do a bit of dancing in the mornings - it is a great way to get the heart rate up for little ones and adults alike. Any music with a good beat will do - sometimes it is children's music but most times it is adult music.

I find it is a good way to lift the tone of the day and it serves as a great way to warm-up before we do physical activity.

But since we have been building upon our strength and flexibility with Tuck sits etc...I have introduced the cats to our warm ups.

There is 'Scaredy Cat'. Arch the back so the belly is towards the floor. Arms and legs are parallel (straight up and down) and perpendicular (makes a strong corner) to the floor. Look up towards the ceiling and roar like an scary lion. Hold for a long roar. Repeat a handful of times.

There is 'Angry Cat'. Arch the back up high - imagine there is a string pulling the curve of the back up high towards the ceiling (like the string that Woody from Toy Story has on his back). Put the chin-to-chest, arms/legs parallel and perpendicular to the floor. Hold for a long angry hiss. Repeat a handful of times.

And then there is 'Copy Cat'. Introducing our very much loved, newest member of the gymnastics team. Not a bad effort for someone with a toddler fracture!!!

There is always lots of clapping for Copy Cats.

Rock and Roll in Tuck sits

We have been practicing Tuck sits and V Sits. The natural progression is to rock back and forth gently using the toes to push off. Allow this to happen and build on this rocking action but encourage strong arms around the legs.

After several sessions of this, enough momentum can be built up which leads to rolling onto the back. With arms held tight around the legs, the back is nicely curved which allows for rocking forward after rolling backwards.

Build up the momentum first.

Give it a try yourself. It is a lot of fun.

Walking Stilts

I love these walking stilts. I wish they would take my weight as I would love to use them.

It has taken a while for her to be comfortable on them. I wish I had presented this to her first madebyjoel - toddler-stilts

But as my Preschooler gained confidence balancing on them, I have become increasingly creative with path I create for her. I trace/draw various figures/lines on the driveway or mat. Figure of eights, zig zag lines, wavy lines etc.

We try sideways, backwards, small steps, large steps, cross over/grapevine etc...

Lots of quiet (concentrating) fun - which gives me about 30 minutes or so to carry out essential tasks like cook dinner/play with my toddler/tackle the washing?

These stilts are made for walking..

Tuck sit and V sit

We have been very inspired here by the gymnastics, the diving and the athletics from the Commonwealth Games. It is such delight to see the positive impression it is making on our Preschooler.
While we watch the broadcast, we discuss the names of the skills being displayed and talk about how the athlete would have started to learn how to do it.

After watching some gymnastics today, we did some very basic static balances.....just to capitalize on the momentum. Strike while the iron is hot!

Doing Tuck sits and V sits at home strengthens and conditions the muscles in the body.

Tuck Sit; Bring knees to chest, and balance on sitting bones. Should be able to rock back and forth.

V Sit; sit with straight back and legs, form the letter V by engaging the stomach muscles.

I also talk about the persistence and the commitment required to be able to perform at an elite level.

There will be more toddler/preschool gymnastics over the next few days.

Mum and Dad's exercise

One thing we enjoy greatly when we travel is to explore the great outdoors.

Hiking trails, lakes, forests, rivers, etc offer great opportunities for the whole family to enjoy time together and for mum and dad to get some exercise.

Regardless of how and what exercise is performed.......the benefits of just seeing parents being active should not be underestimated.

Good luck to Dadda for his 7th Marathon this Sunday!

Spectating: It's a sport

Jetlag and then influenza has rendered most of our family prone on the couch these past few days.

Fortunately, there has been A LOT of sport on TV - events that we find interesting....Road Cycling, Aussie Rules Football and of course The Commonwealth Games.

In particular, I have enjoyed watching the swimming - especially the underwater views. Our preschooler started swimming lessons this year - blowing bubbles, digging with arms and kicking with long legs have been the main concepts. Watching the swimming broadcast together means that I can point out the bubbles streaming out of the nose/mouth, the digging that goes on underneath and the long kicking legs.

The combination of clear digital pictures, mostly astute and intelligent commentary and advances in the technology and the approach to sports broadcasting adds so much educational value to viewers.

I have also enjoyed the time spent beside my little ones explaining as we are watching.

Looking forward to the athletics.

Hope you are enjoying the games!




 

Traffic Lights - A reaction game

Found here

This is a fantastic book to read with Preschoolers to reinforce traffic signals and discuss traffic awareness.

And a great follow up activity is the game Traffic Lights. It is essentially a reaction/cooperation game.

On the verbal cue of "Red light", the little one stands up tall with hand out to signal stop (red lights are on the top of the column), on the cue "Amber light", little ones kneel (amber light is in the middle of the column) and on the cue of "Green light", little ones sit with legs crossed. (Green lights are on the bottom of the column).

Ask your preschooler to skip/run/gallop in a defined area. After a period of 10 seconds or so, blow a whistle and call out "Red Light", "Amber Light" or "Green Light" where upon the little one is expected to react accordingly. Give appropriate feedback.

If you have a large group of children, you can also all out "Traffic Light" where upon groups of three work cooperatively to create a 'Traffic Light' by standing, kneeling and sitting closely to create a Traffic light column.

Green light, Go!