The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made things especially difficult when it comes to kids’ day to day lives. Physical actives that kids would participate in at school have been halted as classes are now online and maintaining regular exercise routines has been a challenge. To ensure kids participate in healthy physical activity while safely indoors, Brent Bishop has an effective fitness plan to engage in from home!

Exercise Demos:

Demo 1 – Fit Dice

• Create dice with your child from cardboard and have pictures of exercises on each face
• Roll the dice to choose the exercise/activity you will both complete

Demo 2 – Superhero Save 

• Place superheros (or dolls, cars etc) at one end of the room 
• Run to rescue one at a time bringing them back to safety zone
• Add obstacles (chairs to climb or go under etc) along the way for more variety 

Demo 3 – Over Under Drill 

• How many can your child complete in 30-45 seconds

Demo 4 – Animal Moves 

• Add some creativity by imitating movements from pictures or nature book etc.
• i.e. crawl like a Bear, Crab, Lizard etc..
• Add some creativity by imitating movements from pictures or nature book etc.

Brent’s Tips:

1. 1. Turn screen time to lean time
      • Lead by example and dedicate specific times to break from the screen and implement exercise.
      • Try creating a daily theme (i.e. Move At Noon). 
      • Parents can develop this routine and initiate scheduled ‘exercise time’ outside of children’s regular activities. 
   2. Be Actively Present
      • Children require more stimulation nowadays – you MUST be present at least some of the time.
   3. Interest then Creativity 
      • If pushed into an activity they aren’t interested in – often the opposite effect happens ~ frustration and disengagement. 
      • Consider temperament and personality according to sport or activity choices.
      • Age appropriate activities. Ages 4-8 yrs – less competitive games and  ages 9-12 open to more complex movements and competition based on temperament.
   4. Children should get a minimum of 60min of exercise a day
      • A child’s mind and body develops based on how it is used