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Tips for Parents, Part 2 by Joe Herzog
Joy by Ian Art from Kid Stamps
ACTIVITIES
For parents of young children (10-12 and below) here are some activities that I recommend.
(1). Allow children to chase you, in an appropriate, safe space. It provides them with focus, control and success. Be cautious of chasing small children as they often run blindly and can develop a sense of panic. That doesn't mean not to chase them, but to exercise a greater level when doing so.
(2). Tag games and Follow The Leader games develop balance, quickness and agility. They also put children on a relative equal footing with each other teaching them a common appreciation for their siblings and classmates.
(3). Hopping, skipping, jumping, bounding, and spinning all develop skills valuable for more advanced activities later on. Chalk lines on the driveway or sidewalk give direction (and wash off in the rain), sticks set on boxes or cones provide specific targets.
(4). Simple gymnastics, balancing, tumbling, cartwheels, building pyramids, build strength, balance and co-ordination.
(5) Water games and swimming provide unique experiences. Teaching your child to swim can be a life saving gift. Swimming is a superior activity for developing upper body strength, an area so deficient in American youth.
(6). Play music and teach kids to dance. Little kids love to dance and are not nearly so inhibited as older children, so get ëem early. Music should cover the spectrum from jazz and swing to 50's rock 'n roll, to ballads, to hip-hop and classical. Baroque music is great for settling kids down and there is much classical music that is replete with the energy kids display during activities.
(7). Take family walks. Walking is a standard for keeping the cardio-vascular system healthy. It provides time for parents and kids to talk without being interrupted by the phone or the T.V. Have children point out different birds, squirrels, cats and dogs, etc.
(8). Lift weights, do aerobics or Tae Bo or Pilates. If possible get a treadmill or stair master or rowing machine or stationary bike or recumbent bike and teach your child how to use it or assist them if they are too small to go it alone. Small children can use books for weights or a broomstick. Just get them to go through the motions. What is important is that you teach them that being active is a normal part of the day, and if you are, they will be, as well.
(9). Whenever you can, take kids to parks and rivers. Take them hiking in the redwoods, play in the snow, and teach your children to fish. Developing an appreciation for the out of doors is an appreciation that will last a lifetime. Observe your child when they see their first deer or coyote or catch their first fish. You will never forget the look in their eyes.
KR thanks Joe Herzog, PE Teacher for agreeing to be a guest columnist for KR. This is the first of a multi-part series, which Joe has authored. Make sure to read part 1 and check back for part 3 of this series. BIO
KIDS:
Dale (22) a senior Aero-Space engineering major. Kimberly (19) a Soph Religious Studies major; wants to be a history teacher. Renae (17) A senior in HS has been accepted at a premier culinary arts academy.
TEACHING:
1976: Central Calif. AAU Service Award ( I used to host the Central Calif. and District Junior Olympic Cross Country meets).
1976 and 1984: Service Awards for Track and Field from the San Joaquin Valley Coaches Association
1996: Our department at Sequoia (my wife and I were both members) won the American Dairy council award for Health and Fitness and the Governors' Council Honor Award for Sports and Physical Education
1996: I wrote a Kaiser Mini Grant for Heart Rate Monitors ($1200.00)
1998: Was awarded the CAHPERD Honor Award for Middle School Sports and Physical Education
carol.kids@rodale.com.
