Early exercise habits help protect children from obesity later in life. Many children might not be getting enough outdoor exercise because of barriers faced by single parents and families with two working parents. It might also come down to a “cultural shift" as to how families spend their time. Some parents tightly schedule their kids’ play dates and classes while seemingly forgetting the value of free play and outdoor time. There may be missed opportunities for kicking those kids outside the door when it’s appropriate and safe. The lack of daily outdoor exercise also might stem from parents assuming that young children are spending their day running around, that they’re active. However, some schools, day-care centers and babysitters are not getting children outside often enough.
Previous research has found that hyperactive kids with wandering attention do better after they have had nature breaks, which seem to make it easier to return to class, sit down and refocus.
All pediatricians aren’t bringing up exercise during preschoolers’ appointments. They’re talking about immunizations, about safety and development. Exercise is just as important as learning how to read.
These years represent a time in kids' development when they learn skills like throwing a ball, picking things up, running, and jumping. If you deprive them of that, then they’re less likely to be active when they get older.
Boys tend to play outdoors more than girls, encourage and support girls in outdoor play. Don’t let darkness or rain deter your family from heading outside for exercise. Consider taking a ”flashlight walk” or rainy day hike together. Involve your children in walking the dog. Put the focus on just getting kids outdoors, playing, exploring the environment, learning these physical skills, and blowing off steam. There are no excuses now that Spring is here. I can vouch for the endless energy of our kids, keep them moving and expending some of that energy and maintain some of your sanity! :)
Warm Up
1 Rope Climb
Max L-Hold (Pullup Bar Outside)
10 Dot Jumps
10 Walking Lunges
10 Air Squats
50m Karaoke
50m Sprint
5 Burpees (Green carpet inside back door)
5 Situps
Skill
3 Rounds
4 Pistols (2 each leg)
5 DB Snatch (5 each arm)
WOD
5 Rope Climbs
10 Pistols (each leg)
20 Toes to Rope
30 DB Snatch (15 each arm)
40 Push Ups
50 Walking Lunges (25 each leg)
60 Air Squats
