Raising Active Children, A Sloth’s Perspective

Because I am me, I’m starting this post from a linguistic perspective. So let’s think about the word active and its synonyms. Energetic, vigorous, bubbly, live. Powerful.

Now, consider inactive. We have: idle, listless, slothful, sluggish. Stagnant.

Wow! Can we talk about the contrasting connotations? As a society, we clearly value people and attitudes that are energetic and active. Perhaps it’s human nature and a necessary byproduct of our evolutionary process. After all, physical activity is a cornerstone of health and longevity.

But does there need to be such stigma against those of us not born with an active drive?

Some of us are born with an athletic drive and an innate need to stay moving. Of course, exercise and an active lifestyle are important. Personally, I’m most drawn to relaxed summer afternoons laying in the park, enjoying the sensations of a cool breeze and the grass beneath my feet. I do love dancing the night away to dabke or bachata, but please give me time to rest in between. And then, there are some people who need to spend hours running, biking, hiking, and moving each day to feel well. A day without strenuous physical activity is a day poorly spent. The study of personality psychology can explain away these individual differences with dozens of factors: genetics, temperament, personal development, and any thoughts of nature and nurture.

But no matter the explanation, the fact is that some of us teachers and parents might not look like our ideal image of “physically active.” We might want our children to “be better than us” and surpass our own expectations. So then how do we, those of us without that athletic calling, raise active children?

As an early educator, I support and encourage the healthy development of my students across each developmental domain. Yes, that includes their physical health. Throughout my years teaching in the classroom, I strengthened my own movement curriculum. I integrated gross motor activities across our daily schedule—and in continuously exciting ways. As always, I've compiled my favorite, “easy-to-integrate” strategies below.

1. Set a specific time and routine.

   Would I really be an effective educator if I didn’t bring up routine? By committing and reserving the same time each day to physical activity, you and your child will be more likely to move—and enjoy it! Some children need the additional warning time to mentally prepare for any physical movement. Find a time that works for you, and stay consistent. In the classroom, I often incorporate music and movement after play time to give children avenues to move and spread their bodies. Knowing that they’ll have a movement break helps them plan and engage in their play.

2. Incorporate fun and accessible resources.

   Absolutely find a Youtube video that you love! Make a playlist of your favorite movement songs. Keep a basket of movement toys in one place in your home or class. When it’s time for you to move, you or your child can easily start the video or song and stay encouraged.

3. Research tech-free activities.

   Any strong educator knows that research and organization is critical to our work. Why recreate the wheel each week you plan for physical movement activities? Begin building your own reservoir of song and dance-based games. Keep a list on your phone or hanging somewhere in your space. It will help you easily move for 10 minutes if you don’t have to spend 10 minutes looking up “easy movement ideas for kids.”

4. Stretch.

   Sometimes, a good stretch is just what our bodies need. Your children have only had their bodies for a few years—how exciting! Help promote their own physical awareness with full-body stretches every day. If you’re sitting in the living room together, plop yourself down on the floor and say, “I think I could use a stretch!” Narrate each movement and name the various body parts you are feeling. Healthy physical habits include a positive image and understanding of self.

5. Plan weekend experiences.

   No, you may not want to spend your weekend hiking. But what other creative, physical experiences can you think of for your family? Bike rides, walks to the park, even just playing outside with a ball or water balloon. Try to spend as much time outdoors as possible every Saturday and Sunday. Based on your geographic location, you may spend weekdays inside during the colder seasons. Any fresh air and outdoor time is crucial for healthy physical development.

6. Play Red Light, Green Light.

   Maybe you really just can't  run or sprint. But you know that every child loves to play. So incorporate the two when you walk any sort of distance outside (being mindful of traffic!). As your child walks in front of you, say "Green Light" to make them run, and "Red Light" to make them stop. Remember: you don't always have to run around with them to encourage an active lifestyle. 

7. Build obstacle courses.

   One of my personal favorites! You do not have to be an active person to set up or build a fun obstacle course in your home. I often share tips on how to create simple (yet captivating) obstacle courses with household materials. Reach out for some tips and ideas.

8. Find online classes.

   And of course, I encourage you to find online classes that cater to children (or even the whole family!). Through Allusio Live—our online preschool program—we offer amazing music and movement classes with our wonderful guest teacher, Danielle of Fit N Play Mama. (Psst: we even have class pass options for you to sign up for just those classes, or our Friday cooking classes with Nada of Mint And Zaatar.)

I hope this list of strategies and easy invitations helps you feel a little less intimidated by “physical activity”. To learn more about the topic and enjoy a personalized session with myself, schedule your consultation today.

We’ve got this, fellow sloths!