'What's the time Mr Wolf?'

Lunch time!!

Today, whilst on an excursion to the zoo, we stumbled upon a beautiful bit of outdoor space in our search for a spot to sit for lunch. A patch of grass, dappled shade, trees, shrubs - just perfect for a game of 'What's the time Mr Wolf".

My Preschooler had a turn at being the Wolf first. Counting is a really big 'thing' right now. 13 was the call - so she only had a couple of calls before I was right upon her. When I was close enough, I snatched the hat and ran back to base (which was the stroller). Not bad since I had my toddler in my arms.

When it was my turn (with the toddler still in my arms) I included my toddler into the game by holding up his fingers to represent the time ie. number of steps to be taken. Since the numbers we chose were small, we had several calls to make. At the call of lunchtime, we chased the Preschooler back to base - safe to play another time.
 
 It does not take long for the enthusiastic to learn the strategy and rules of the game. The wolf lures the participants close enough to him so that he can call out 'lunchtime' and catch someone. The participants tries to get as close to the wolf as possible to steal his 'treasure' (in my case, it was the hat - but a ball or scarf tucked into the pants would be safer) and return to the safety of the 'base' - usually a line (or in my case, the stroller).

Lots of fun.

This game is so perfect for Preschoolers as it involves few rules, counting, singing, estimating space, strategic thinking, anticipation, developing reaction time, agility - gleefulness. Having a turn at being the Wolf also builds self esteem.

I usually play this game with larger groups but as I found out today, it worked with just the three of us.

And now, it is bed time.

Kindayoga

While on the topic of DVDs...there is one other we like to put on and follow along whilst still in our pyjamas.

KindaYoga.- Jungle Story Vol 1. Found here.

I have been attending Yoga classes - albeit inconsistently - over the past ten years and so have built up knowledge and experience of how it is best delivered to those new to and still discovering it.

It is very child friendly and introduces yoga in a very fun and appropriate way.

I particularly love the quiet breathing.

We can now do some of the poses without the DVD - and practise it together on the grass in the backyard. I have also borrowed the breathing technique when the need to bring the energy/anxiety level down a few notches arises.

So, Kindayoga is with us all the time.

Miss Vicky on holidays

With the Ballet concert over for the year, there are no more dance classes to attend. This morning, we had quite a leisurely Monday morning compared to the rush to get to dance lessons during the school term.

"Why is Ms Vicky on holidays? Why does she need a break?" inquired my Preshooler.

Fortunately, I was prepared for this moment and pulled out the Ballet conditioning DVD I bought at an opportunity shop.

We - my toddler, my preschooler and myself - all stood in front of the TV - in our pyjamas and barefoot (as recommended by Elise - the ballerina on the cover) and attempted some of the exercises. 

The pace was slow -  hence ideal for our purposes and I personally found it quite a good workout and enjoyed the ballet context of the exercises. I tried all the exercises and my Preschooler attempted the ones she had done in class with her teacher - as well as others I thought were safe and appropriate.

Our preschooler was impressed that the ballerina on TV was doing the same things as Ms Vicky; and the moves were performed nearly as well as her.

And my toddler loved attempting the arabesque.

So we may well be seeing Miss Elise on DVD every Monday morning.

When John and Jane went out walking....

.....they were busy talk, talk, talking. (The Pear in the Pear Tree - Pamela Allen)

We do a lot of walking - to the shops, to the park, to the river to feed ducks, to the train station and then to the zoo, museum, friends when visiting.

And while sometimes, it is much easier to use the stroller for both my Pre-schooler and toddler, I am glad that the walking option usually wins.

Because, walking is often accompanied by talking...and the topics we cover and the depth of insights that come out never ceases to amaze me.

I came across this article by Sarah Wilson during my weekend newspaper reading that may explain when 'walking and talking' go so well together.

And I hope that all this walking will prepare us all for our first short hike this summer.

Review: YMCA Play Gym

There are several YMCA Recreation Centers in our city. They offer a range of fantastic programs.

One in particular is the Play Gym. For the cost of about $6 per child, toddlers and Preschoolers (with the assistance of a carer) have access to a fully equipped gymnastics gym - a real gymnastics gym - complete with foam pit into which they can tumble.

For 45minutes, little ones and carers move around the space and try their hand on the special apparatus.

As one can see from the pictures, we have not been a for a while because,  I could not see how I could spot and coach the Preschooler and still keep the toddler from injuring himself.

But I think the 'age and stage' of our two little ones is just right now.

Play Gym sessions being an indoor activity is not only a fantastic option for when the weather is cold; it is also ideal when the weather is too hot and sunny or for when the pollen count in the air is at the highest it has been for10 years.

The challenge for me will be to remember the visit is for the little ones, not for me to revisit my gymnastics skills.

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick...

We do lots of jumping here - a great way to spend energy and develop leg muscles at the same time.

Standing Broad Jumps are a great way to build power in the legs and is used as a measure of leg strength in fitness tests. It was once an Olympic event - and it is also a lot of fun.

I use anti-slip mats from the $2 dollar shop cut into shapes to cue the little ones to their beginning and landing positions when I introduce this. It helps to stop them from slipping upon landing, and since it is soft, it encourages landing with soft, well oiled knees.

Begin with two  feet together - slightly apart. Use arms to propel forward and push off on both legs, jump and land in front on both feet without loosing balance. The idea is to increase the distance traveled with each try. Experimentation with size of arm swing and angle of torso is encouraged.

Landing with soft bendy knees with arms in the the position of a motorbike rider is important.

We do this to the nursery rhyme and use a prop for the candle.

Give it a go yourself.
*******************************************************************************

Balloon Cover giveaway still available to the first two comments to come in - get in quick.

Rock, Bridge, Tree Relay

Every PE teacher has a  few favourite games they revert to. I would like to share one of mine here -albeit modified for my little one and her friends. This game develops fitness, reinforces their understanding of position/direction words, improves teamwork, spatial awareness and coordination . It is also a lot of fun.

The actual game is a relay race - teams of four are spaced along a line. One member of the team is the Runner, one is a Rock, one is a Bridge, and one is the Tree. The runner sprints to and jumps over the Rock, crawls under the bridge and circles the Tree - sprinting in between. Then the members of the team change roles.

This is how I modified it for my Preschooler and her friends.

Practice the positions first; as well as transitioning form Rock to Bridge to Tree. Nominate a Preschooler to be a runner who stands with me at home base, while the other Preschooler is about 5m away in the shape of the Rock.

 On the word "Go", the runner runs to the Rock, jumps over it and runs back to me for a high five.

 

 Meanwhile the Rock turns into a Bridge. Immediately after the high five, the runner sprints to the Bridge, crawls under it and returns to me for another high five.

Meanwhile, the Bridge turns into a Tree. Immediately after the high five, the runner sprints back to the Tree and runs around it before returning home for the final high five.

 Swap roles.

Adjust the running distance to allow for the appropriate amount of time between the home base and the Rock, Bridge, Tree. Take the opportunity to emphasize the position/direction words written above in bold.

There will be huffing and puffing in amidst all the laughter.

One Potato, Two Potato...

........Three Potatos, Four

Balloons can be a lot of fun on their own without covers.

Rebound ball fun

First day of Spring was marked with rain - lots of it. When it was not raining, it was too wet to be outside.

The garden got a good soak but needless to say, we experienced a bit of cabin fever.

Thankfully, I spotted our super bouncy rebound ball. It saved the afternoon. If you have (or know of) a recent walker and have yet to (re)discover this, I could not recommend it enough. Give it a gentle bounce down the hallway and watch the glee that results as it is chased, then searched for and returned to you for more.

This one is large so the concern regarding  toddlers mouthing it relates more to cleanliness (lack of it) than choking. Our Toddler here has yet to discover his own strength so there was no problem with him damaging anything.

Still...all breakables were safely tucked away.

Tip Toe through the ...daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

-William Wordsworth-

Well... not quite a crowd yet...but that is the intention.

A crowd of daffodils - even better, a maze made of daffodils would be a lovely thing to tip toe through.

Tip toeing - preferably barefoot - is not only a fun way to get around, it is a great workout for the feet. It strengthens and conditions the muscles and soft tissues and in turn allows for the confident participation in a wide range of actions.

Why is it important? Many of our 206 bones are in our feet (and hands) - all connected and controlled by muscles and soft tissues. Our feet support our body weight. Tip Toeing and other exercises for our feet develops muscles and soft tissues used in actions beyond just walking.

Bouncing softly on the heels is also good exercise. It involves moving from a stationary position to standing on the balls of our feet and then gently lowering the heels to the floor. One that could be done while waiting for say...the toast to pop!

During the toddler and preschool years, let there be lots of (barefoot) tip toeing and soft heel bouncing.

(Making sure there is a path for tip toeing when all the daffodils bloom)

Wide open spaces

We have quite a small backyard but it is adequate for many outdoor activities. Occasionally, though, one feels the need to have a good run around. And that is when we seek out wide open spaces. Kite Flying is a great way to enjoy this.

For both my Preschooler and Toddler, there was great joy to just simply run around - at full speed and in any direction. For me, it was comforting to know that they had the space to just run freely without concerns of collisions with objects and/or other people.

Preschoolers and indeed Toddlers benefit from activities that allow them to develop their peripheral vision whilst running at speed in a safe manner - without the 'swarm-like' running that some group activities and team sports typically create.




Thanks to my Kiteflying coach for the idea and tips on how to handle a kite.

Bubbles on a windy day!

A small bottle of bubbles + a windy day = lots of fun and fitness.