Incorporating PE into Your Daily Routine
When school is underway, I for one can attest that my schedule is full. Some days, it’s a wonder we get everything done! With all the basics we have to cover, especially when teaching multiple ages, fitting in time to be active often falls by the wayside. However, kids (and moms) are not only healthier and happier when they get some exercise, they are also better able to focus and think clearly after they’ve expended some energy.
Simply incorporating time to play, no matter what your kids’ ages, will prove to be valuable to everyone. So when you’re planning your days, don’t forget PE!
Here are some fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to P.L.A.Y.
Pencil it in—As I mentioned above, plan for playtime by blocking out a little bit of time each day for active fun. Even if your climate or the time of year makes going outside a challenge, there are many activities you can do indoors. You can devote as much or as little time as you have, but the key is to make PE a priority and not an afterthought.
Laughter—Keep things fun and light, so being active doesn’t feel like a chore. Silly games include a spray bottle water fight, bopping balloons (or a blown up plastic grocery bag) without letting them touch the floor, follow the leader, or a relay race carrying cups of popcorn or water to fill up a bowl.
Active learning—Yes, you can incorporate other subjects into PE time if you must. Not only can you learn the history behind different sports or the cultural origins of certain games, but you can also do things like an ABC scavenger hunt to find items for each letter of the alphabet, math hopscotch, going for a walk or run with a book on tape, or spelling-word HORSE on the basketball court. How about a nature hike?
Yard games—If organized sports or even traveling to the park isn’t an option, there are many games you can play in your own backyard with little or no special equipment. Some of them might even remind you of childhood days when we stayed outside until dark and no media was calling us inside: Chinese jump rope, kick the can, or bean bag target toss. Get creative and translate board games to a larger scale like Frisbee-toss tic tac toe.
Remember to have fun and enjoy spending time with your kids as you PLAY together and get active!
This article also appeared in Home Educating Family Magazine 2014, Issue 5.