How to Encourage your child's love of movement

 

Good Day Friends!

Wow time flies! I can't believe we are already wrapping up February and spring is right around the corner! All students are wrapping up our dance unit and will be heading back outside for PE next week. 

Please remember how important it is for kids to be active outdoors, breathing in fresh air and developing a love for movement in all seasons!

Today I would like to share an article from ACTIVE FOR LIFE, "The recipe to get kids moving for life".  Now more than ever, it is so important to keep kids and families active to alleviate stress and create a sense of well being while keeping our bodies strong. The quote below, summaries the article so nicely...

“The recipe to get kids moving is to serve them a daily dose of three ingredients: skills, confidence, and the love of movement.”

– Richard Monette

Please read the attached article below to get your family moving, maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend some quality time together building strong family ties. 

 

https://activeforlife.com/recipe-to-get-kids-moving-for-life/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Just Dance

 

Hello Friends!

 

Wow! I can't believe it's the middle of February already and we survived the Polar Vortex! Thankfully we are back to some great winter weather and some sunshine! 

This month all students have been working on developing our dance skills. We enjoyed warming up our muscles and getting our hearts pumping with a game of dance tag. Some of the favorite dance moves to get back into the game included: disco, wash it, shopping cart, sprinkler and the floss. 

We also worked on learning the elements of dance, which include:

1) Body: locomotor movements of hop, jump, skip, shuffle and using different body parts while dancing

2) Rhythm: identifying the timing of the music and matching our dance moves to the rhythm

3) Space: dancing at low, medium and high levels, using different pathways when we dance and changing directions

4) Relationships: maintaining 2 m social distance, connecting to music and dancing in personal and general space

5) Energy: participating with an open mind, cooperating and developing individual style based on our personality and comfort

We also talked about the benefits of listening to music and moving and dancing to our favorite music. There is so much research supporting the benefits of music and movement. It's amazing how great it feels to move and groove to music that you connect with! 

Today I'd like to share an article written by Meghan from Learning Resources called "Top 6 Reasons to Have A Daily Family Dance Party". See link below for Meghan's suggestions to get your family moving and grooving as well as some interesting benefits for your whole family to stay strong and healthy through dancing.

https://blog.learningresources.com/top-6-reasons-to-have-a-daily-family-dance-party/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

February BOKS Calendar

 Hello Friends!

We are now into February and the heart of winter! It is more important than ever to keep our minds and bodies strong as we navigate through these very challenging times! 

Daily physical activity is important in so many ways to keep our whole self: mind, body, and soul strong! I would like to remind you of all the benefits of getting 60 minutes of daily physical activity:

- Exercise gives you energy.

- Fitness pumps up your heart.

- Exercise boosts brain power.

- Exercise helps you relax and sleep better.

- Regular exercise helps muscles and bones get stronger.

- Movement melts away stress.

- Fitness can build stronger relationships with family.

- Exercise wards off disease.

- Getting your heart rate up and breathing heavy while being active makes you feel fit, healthy and awesome! 

I would again like to share the BOKS FEBRUARY CALENDAR  link. This month's calendar focuses on your child's leadership skills of communication, listening and teamwork. The calendar has 16 BOKS BURST movement activities, as well as the ABC Workout Friday challenge. There are also ways to connect online with YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more! Keep your family moving with this great resource!

 https://www.bokskids.ca/boks-free-sign-up/

Feel free to check out this additional link for easy access to previous monthly fitness calendar challenges!

https://www.bokskids.org/fitness-calendar/

Stay Active! Stay Positive! Stay Strong!

Sherri Anwender

The February Fitness Challenge

 Good Day Friends!

The weather has taken a turn and we are now experiencing a true Canadian winter! As the polar vortex settles in, it becomes so much harder to stay active and keep your muscles moving! However, it is important to remember that there is so much research supporting the importance of getting fresh air every day and moving our bodies for at least 60 minutes daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

In January I shared the at home in doors drop everything and move calendar. I would like to share the February DEAM calendar (Drop Everything And Move) from OPEN PE. There are so many easy ideas to be active in the warmth and comfort of your own home! Today I would like to post it and encourage you and your family to continue to strive for daily physical activity! 

Please check the link below for the February DEAM Calendar and get your heart pumping and muscles moving! Keep your body strong and your mind clear with these daily activity challenges! You got this! Enjoy!

https://openphysed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DEAM-February-Post.pdf

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender