Training Through Fun

Little Kids and Training through Fun

 

Kids never stay still. Everybody knows that! What better way to train them than to take advantage of this? Children are always running around and have so much excess energy that you can’t help but wonder where they’re getting all of it from. It’s easy to nudge them in the right direction to make sure that all this energy in the develop their bodies and minds  in the best way. They will reap the benefits for this throughout their lives.

The correct forms of exercise until children are six years old can have significant effect on their muscle coordination, the development of their respiratory system, cardiovascular system as well as make sure that they have the right posture. Exercise is important,VERY important,but during this time,(playing) training has to be fun. Making play seem like work is a big mistake!

Children always want to imitate their parents and their older siblings . So invariably, they will want to play football, basketball and anything they see the ‘big kids’ play. This can be learning and beneficial exercise for them if you simplify the rules and let them have their own games. Fun activities like building a snow fortress or an ice castle, a snow ball fight, sledding,  skiing and skating during winter are also great options.  )

Of course in SoCal this isn’t happening,but we do have the ocean blue and lot and lots of  coastal sand. So  those of you in the beach communities of the U.S. and of course the fastest country on the planet right now Jamaica can plan your play training right at the beach no shoes necessary . A fun run ,tag and running from the waves in the spring and summer months are other ways of making sure that your child stays on the path to becoming a life long athlete while still having fun.

 Aerobic activities like dancing and rhythmic gymnastics are other strategies. Playing with the hula hoop can be fun, while still keeping your child in great physical shape. Children always love to play in water. Swimming is a great option during this time.Michael Phelps has help increase swim classes already and we are enteriing fall.

Once your child turns six,  the child is in an active part of development which will focus on the natural advantages of children during that age: speed, agility and flexibility. Boys will be equal to slightly faster than girls more powerful and faster, while girls will have an keen sense of rhythm and better flexibility. This is also the time when development of muscle coordination is optimum. The training at this time should make use of the extra energy that children have to improve their dexterity and their strength.

At no point should training seem like a burden to your child. This is why their natural energy should be focused to help them achieve their potential, instead of pushing them too hard the wrong way. Many track parents naturally guide their children to the sports and activites they enjoyed in their youth or enjoy now.

Be careful as you introduce your child to activites that you allow them to have a say and direct as you introduce sporting activites. One of Lauren’s favorite things to do at  the ages of 3-6 was the bars..any bar she could swing on she would,she loved that many children her age and older coundn’t do what she could. She would run to get on over and over and over again and the park was almost daily routine before she started school.When she learned to ride a bike at 3 1/2 (yes it’s true) we began riding at her request. She got a scooter then I had to get on one too. Funny thing, she recently wanted to get  a new one her size again and I though “perfect it a great training tool for  leg turn over”.   So even as your child enters the more formal track training years there is still time and opportunity to “play train” your youth athlete.

 There are many activities that you can do with your child that will promote a healthy active lifestyle.

The goal is to help your child continue to pursue  an active healthy lifestyle his entire life.

Until Next Time

Related posts:

1. Speed Training With Lots Of Fun
2. Kids Just Want To Have Fun, Parents Too!
3. Strength Training For Kids
4. Setting A Better Example For Your Youth Athlete
5. Interesting Youth Sports, Health And Training Facts