19May2018
Cycling for Children, Kids Fitness
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May 19, 2018

A report by the United States Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that children aged between 5 to 14 who cycle have the highest rate of hospital emergency rooms admission as compared to any other sports.

Kids who cycle are exposed to risk of accidents and potentially a serious brain injury if they are not equipped with proper protection gears.

If you are concerned about your kids’ safety as they cycle, here is the good news for you: wearing a properly-fitted children’s bike helmets can lower your child’s risk of getting a head injury by 85%!

Are your kids equipped with children’s bike helmets that fit?

If you unsure of how to choose a bike helmet to keep you children safe as they cycle, this video is for you.

Watch it now and comment below if you have any other tips to share regarding this!

16May2018
Cycling for Children, Kids Fitness
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May 16, 2018

If your kids love riding bikes, it is important for you to get the right size bikes for your kids to ensure they are safe and comfortable.

Trying to figure out kids’ bicycle sizes could be confusing. Unlike the adult bicycles sizes which are determined by seat height and frame size, kids’ bicycle sizes are determined by its wheel diameter.

It is also important to take note that kids are growing quickly, so it won’t be long for kids to outgrow their trailer or child seat.

Oftentimes, parents will be able to estimate the size of bikes for their kids based on their ages. Parents can also choose the right bike for their kids by measuring the height of their little ones.

If you are interested to find out how should you get the right sized bicycle for kids, watch this video to find out now!

5May2018
Cycling for Children, Kids Fitness, Outdoor Play
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May 5, 2018

Did you know that children are recommend to get 60 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis?

It is sad to find that one-third of the children today are not achieving this recommended amount of physical activities.

If you are looking for ways to help your little ones be more active, cycling for children is a good option to look at.

Cycling for children is a great way to help improve your little ones’ fitness, let your children release stress, improve their mental health and simply to have fun!

By having more family outings to go cycling with children, parents are also able to bond better with their children!

Interested to get your kids started on cycling? Check out the following video now for an easy guide to teach your kids on how to ride a bike!

10Feb2018
Indoor Play, Kids Fitness
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February 10, 2018

via now TO LOVE:When it’s either pouring with rain or simply too hot to step outside (or perhaps you don’t have an outdoor space) it can be a challenge to occupy the kids indoors, let alone keep them active – physically and mentally. Especially during the seemingly endless school holidays!

Combat the boredom with our easy activity ideas for indoor fun and games. Why not pin these indoor actives for kids’ to the fridge door so that you always have an answer to the inevitable “I’m bored!”.

10 pin bowling

Using recyclable bottles or cartons and a soft ball, like a tennis ball, set up a bowling alley in the hallway. Each child takes a turn and gets a point for every pin they knock down.

Land the ping pong ball in the bucket

This one will get the kids up and moving. All you need is a plastic bucket and a ping pong. Place the bucket on the floor and ask the kids to take one step back away from it. They each take turns throwing the ping pong ball into the bucket. Watch as they try to get the notoriously bouncy ball to stay in the bucket. After a child lands a ball in the bucket, they’re to take another step backwards, furthering the distance from the bucket, and throwing again.

T-shirt decorating

Either revamp an old white tee or pick up an inexpensive shirt from Big W, Kmart or Best ‘N Less. Encourage your children to create their own personalised designs using fabric paints, glitters and pens. They’ll love creating something they can wear later.

Dress ups

Keeping a box of costumes is always a good idea when you have small children. Keep an eye out for dancing costumes or theater outfits donated to charity and second-hand stores. For just a few dollars, your kids will have hours of fun, plus playing dress ups is great for their imagination and creative play.

Make your own photo albums

Many of us have stacks of photos that need organising or put into albums. We probably also have hundreds on our phones which have never seen the light of day. Let the kids make their own photo albums by choosing a selection of their favourite photos, sticking them into a scrapbook and adding their own clever captions. It’s a wonderful keepsake that helps you get organised too.

Build a fort

Use either soft furnishings (blankets, pillows and sheets), or stop by the local appliance and hardware store and ask if they have any spare boxes, to create a little sanctuary, fort or ‘house’. The kids will have a ball building their own own grand designs.

Act out the story from their favourite book
While you read you kids’ favourite book, ask the them to act out the scenes following your words. Alternatively, leave them to create a play about their favourite storybook, and you can be their audience when they’re ready to lift the curtain.

Musical bums

A favourtie at kids’ birthday parties, musical bums is just like musical chairs, using cushions instead of chairs – so it’s ideal for apartments and small spaces. Place one less cushions than children on the floor, then play their fave upbeat song while they wiggle and dance around the room. When you hit pause on the track, the kids must find a cushion and plonk themselves on it. The child without a cushion seat sits out until the game starts again. Each round remove a cushion until there is just two children and one cushion between them.

Library film club

For when it’s time to for a little relaxation and quiet… Most libraries rent out DVDs, so get the kids to choose a film each as well as a couple of books to keep them quiet. Also look out for holiday workshops at the library.

WATCH: An indoor activity for parents – DIY beanbags for movie watching! Artice continues after video…

Turn your home into a kiddie day spa

Create your own spa at home for a fraction of the price. Get everyone in a dressing gown then paint your kids’ nails, do their hair and give them a massage. Then swap and let them provide spa services to you!

6Feb2018
Chores For Kids, Kids Fitness
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February 6, 2018

via Penny Pinchin: Learn how to make a chore chart for kids, no matter their age. There are chores for kids of all ages — even as young as age 3! A simple chore chart can help your child remember what he or she must do every day.

Do you struggle to get your kids to do their chores — or even to figure out WHAT chores they need to do? You are not alone. And then, when you do figure out the chores, getting your kids to do them — with a smile on their face — is another obstacle all together.

As Moms and Dads, part of what we need to teach our children is how to contribute to the running of our household, which in turn can help them to become contributing members of society. One way we do this by assigning chores for kids via a chore chart. They help the house run smoother and they actually get the opportunity to take ownership of a task.

That alone can boost self-esteem and help them with their development. I know my kids get a lot of satisfaction when they complete a task.

Other ideas for chore charts for kids:

  • The Ticket Reward & Fine Method
  • When Should I Start My Child on an Allowance?
  • Paying Your Kids For Chores with a Kid Safe Debit Card (You Completely Control)
  • How Toy Jail Teaches Responsibility

video

TIPS FOR USING A CHORE CHART FOR KIDS

There are several things that you need to keep in mind when it creating and using a chore chart with your kids. The following tips will help you achieve chore chart success with your own children.

1. KEEP IT AGE APPROPRIATE

With three kids of varying ages, the chores we require differ for each of them. Our oldest has more chores such as doing laundry whereas we keep it simple for our youngest. Each of their chore charts identify what they need to do each week.

You will want to print this simple age appropriate chores list and keep it handy. It is a guide to help parents determine which chores children can do at every age. This way, you can find new chores to add to your child’s chore list.

This is a great way to help your children learn how to complete these tasks. However, remember that you can’t expect perfection. Just expect for them to try their best. This chart is a great way for them to learn how to take care of themselves and their own home.

You may also try a task listed and find that your child is not yet ready to try that. Just change what you do the following week. Conversely, you may feel your child can take care of items listed in an age group which is older. That too is fine. This is a guide to help you find those items which work for both you and your child.

2. LET THE KIDS HELP

You know the chores your kids can handle, so have them help creating their own chore chart. Look over the chore list and have them decide which ones they will do this week.

You will not want to allow them to select everything (they will pick the simplest ones). But, when he or she feels a part of the decision making process, there is more motivation to do every chore.

3. MAKE THE CHORE CHART VISIBLE

It is important that your child can see the chore chart and keep track of what he or she has done for the week. This can be done on a white board on your refrigerator or even a piece of paper tacked to a bulletin board.

Remind your child to update their chore list every day. I find that when my kids can physically check a box or a line to show they did something, they do much better at keeping track of what they have done and those items they have yet to complete.

Below you will find two different printable chore charts. One is very basic and is great for younger children, while the other is more detailed and perfect for older children.

Whether you use one of the charts below or a completely different chore chart, make sure it is visible and easy for your child to see and follow.

If your children are a bit older, you can use the Responsibility Chart instead. This chart has spaces for the regular chores (Commissions), additional tasks (Bonuses) and areas where they tend to get into trouble (fines). You tally up the income and take away the fines each week and they earn the difference. This chart is created to teach them, well, responsibility in the workplace.

They learn that if they do not complete the work, they do not get paid. They also learn that if they do the wrong thing (like fight or disrespect Mom and Dad), they have a fine. We compare this to speeding or being reckless and causing damage to things. It works well for our kids and they sure hate it when we say the word “FINE”!

If you want even more detailed information into how we use the Responsibility Chart in our home, you can read about that here — Teaching Our Children Financial Responsibility.

4. DETERMINE THE REWARD OR INCENTIVE

Rewards will vary greatly from family to family. For some parents, the chores are required just as part of being a part of the family. They are expected to contribute and there is no reward attached to it. For others, it is simply financial. They pay per chore or per week as the chore charts are completed.

The rewards may be incentive based such as sleepovers, extra time on the game system, etc. The beauty of any good system is that you can make it work for your family. You know your kids and your family structure, so you know what you expect and will give in return. A chore chart can serve as incentive and reminder for your kids (and quite possibly, even for you)!

5. DETERMINE THE PUNISHMENTS

If your child doesn’t do all of their chores, there must be a consequence. Of course, there will times when there circumstance outside of our control, which contribute to chores not being completed.

However, many times, the chores are not completed because your child simply forgot or decided not to do it. When this happens, you need to take away those rewards, such as a play date or the special treat he or she was to get the following day.

When your child forgets, help them get their chores done, but don’t give them a free pass. They still have to learn there are consequences in life when we don’t do what we are suppose to do.

6. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Children are sponges and they watch everything you do. If you slack off and don’t do your daily chores, your children see this. Make sure you are responsible and doing what you need to every day. Your kids will be more motivated to do their daily chores when they see mom and dad doing the same.

7. MAKE SURE YOU STILL HAVE FUN

All work and no fun, makes Jack a dull boy. You’ve heard that, right? There is so much truth here! Add fun to the chores such as making it a game to toss laundry into the laundry basket.

In addition, allow time for the kids to have fun. After all, they are kids. Aim to strike a balance between the things they need to do and what let’s them enjoy being a kid.

8. DON’T OVERBURDEN YOUR KIDS

It’s important that children have chores to do. But, you don’t want them to be overwhelmed. When this happens, it may be time to change the chores or remove some of them completely.

During the school year, there may be sports and homework every night. During this time, you may need to scale back on the number or types of chores he or she needs to do.

9. WATCH OVER THEM

Kids need reminders and supervision when doing their work. Even my older kids need me to remind them about what they need to do. Gently guide them to get their daily chores completed every day before bed time.

10. TEACH THEM

You can’t expect your children to know what to do right away. It will take time to teach them the right way to dust and to do the laundry. Keep your expectations low at first and raise them as your child learns how to do every chore on his or her chore chart.

When learning how to make a chore chart for your kids, keep these tips in mind. Chore charts should teach and not cause burden or stress to anyone in the family.

29Jan2018
Gymnastics For Kids, Kids Fitness
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January 29, 2018

MAma speaks: My eldest daughter did rhythmic gymnastics for 2 years, I can think of one more reason – it also builds confidence and discipline! 

via I love to watch you play: 

7 REASONS GYMNASTICS IS A GOOD SPORT FOR KIDS

(By guest contributor Amanda Borden)

I was 12-years-old when I decided I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. I always loved sports. I played t-ball, tried ice skating and ballet and was on a soccer team for two years, but there was something about gymnastics. I loved the challenge and the constant pursuit of perfection.

Now, as a mother of three children and the owner of my own gyms, I am inspired when I see
that same spark that I once felt in the eyes of the children I work with. Here are seven things I like about gymnastics and 7 reasons why it is a great sport for children.

7 REASONS GYMNASTICS IS A GOOD SPORT FOR KIDS

It’s a sport for all sports

Gymnastics provides a great foundation for ALL sports. Gymnastics develops strength, flexibility, balance, agility and coordination…all skills needed for sports like hockey, basketball, volleyball and football. The flexibility used to do a leg split is the same flexibility a hockey or soccer player uses to save a goal. The balance and coordination a gymnast develops to jump on a balance beam is similar to the skills needed by a pitcher on the baseball mound. Whether you become a competitive gymnast or participate in other competitive sports, gymnastics gives you a great foundation to succeed!

It makes you a better math student

That’s right, math is considered a spatial sport, which means the more children move in different ways, the more connections are made in the brain that improve spatial awareness. Kids need good spatial skills to understand mathematical equations and geometric principles. Gymnastics does just that! Gymnastics moves improve body awareness and help wire the brain for math success.

Weather and seasons aren’t a factor

Gymnastics is a year round sport so there is no need to wait until gymnastics season; you can participate year round or on your schedule. It’s an indoor sport so you don’t need to wait for the weather to warm up or cool down. Plus, you can participate in your “off” season from other sports to build strength and coordination.

It teaches resilience and mental toughness

In a sport where the best athletes at the highest levels still fall and make mistakes, gymnastics teaches resilience and mental toughness. It’s a sport where you fall again and again, and have to continually “get back on the horse”. In 1992 I was crushed when I didn’t make the Olympic team. But the culture of gymnastics is to continue to get back up and never quit trying. Four years later I not only made the team, but was named the captain of the gold medal winning team known as the Magnificent Seven. Gymnastics is a sport where you learn to quickly put your mistakes behind you and move on.

The outfits are awesome?

Leotards have evolved over the years allowing gymnasts to infuse their own style into their outfits. Gymansts can express their personalities through the vibrant colors and stretchy and shiney fabrics they wear. The variety is endless! Who doesn’t’ love stepping out in a bedazzled, glittery, sparkling outfit covered in crystals?

Social Skills and Life Lessons

Gymnastics requires kids to stand in line, take turns using equipment, to listen to and apply a coaches feedback. All things that develops real life skills like patience, following directions, being quiet and respecting others. Gymnastics teaches commitment, dedication, respect, time-management, and builds confidence and self esteem…. all the qualities we want our children to have to be successful students and human beings. With gymnastics offering programs starting at toddler age, gymnastics can be great social preparation for starting school.

Flying, swinging, climbing and bouncing

Swinging, climbing, jumping, flipping…..is fun!!! What’s a child not to love about gymnastics? With participation in youth sports declining and the obesity rate in children increasing…it’s important that we keep kids involved, engaged and most of all, having FUN while participating in sports!

23Jan2018
Chores For Kids, Kids Fitness
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January 23, 2018

Mommy’s note: I believe in giving my kids list of chores to do at home.  

via GoodtoKnow : 


During a Ted Talk called How To Raise Successful Kids – Without Over-Parenting, Julie Lythcott-Haims, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University, claims that children who do chores around the house are far more likely to be professionally successful adults.

She mentioned the Harvard Grant Study, which states that the earlier children start doing chores, the earlier a ‘can-do’ attitude and behaviour is instilled into them.

By doing jobs around the house, Julie explained, children will learn the act of rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to do whatever needs to be done, in order to finish the task.

Julie went on to describe how this sort of attitude is exactly what will get young people ahead in the workplace. Whereas a ‘checklisted childhood’ of achievements such as keeping their grades up, taking up hobbies and attending extra-curricular activities and classes, etc will not.

She said, ‘In the checklisted childhood, we absolve our kids of doing the work of chores around the house, and then they end up as young adults in the workplace still waiting for a checklist, but it doesn’t exist.

‘More importantly, [they’re] lacking the impulse, the instinct to roll up their sleeves and pitch in and look around and wonder, ‘How can I be useful to my colleagues? How can I anticipate a few steps ahead to what my boss might need?’ she added.

It is unlikely that any child will find chores very exciting, especially if they’re not yet accustomed to doing them, so the key to this exercise is to make sure young children especially are having fun doing them by turning it into a game.

Rather than setting them up with tasks and leaving them to it, try making the task into a family exercise by getting involved and showing them the different jobs that need to be done and how to do them.

What do you think? Do your children help out around the house and do chores? Or do you think getting good grades and taking up hobbies are more important? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

1Jan2018
Exercises for Kids, Indoor Play, Kids Fitness
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January 1, 2018

Mommy’s note:

Maybe I should give this a try with my girls. Bonding time with them.The issue is finding the time to do it together.

Via Preschool Inspiration: The Best Kids Yoga Videos

Kid Yoga videos are giving teachers and parents an incredible tool to help children learn to:

  • manage stress
  • build their concentration
  • increase their confidence
  • and even work on gross motor skills.

I must admit I was a bit skeptical to jump on the kid yoga bandwagon. Did it really work? We started doing family yoga, and my kids loved it. During turtle on the rock, I would crouch over, and my daughter would lie on her back, balancing on me. Soon, we started looking forward to our weekly yoga class. It was both a great way to bond and also a perfect workout and stress reliever.

Need some great Kid Yoga videos? These are perfect for kid yoga in the classroom or at home. Now you can get free yoga in the comfort of your own home.

One day as I was reading through Facebook, I noticed that a bunch of preschool teachers mentioned they had started using YouTube kid yoga videos for their classes, and they were seeing great results in behavior and all around mindfulness. I had to check it out! And wow, they were right! The kid yoga videos were incredible.

No longer do you need to go to a yoga instructor or pay for classes. You can get one right in your home or classroom — and it’s FREE! I especially love that the Cosmic Kids Yoga videos tell a story at the same time. Other yoga videos have songs, and some are even led by kids.

There are even great yoga books!

  • Good Morning Yoga
  • Good Night Yoga: A Pose by Pose Bedtime Story
  • You are a Lion and Other Fun Yoga Poses

We do a morning yoga video now, and my kids can’t wait to find a new and exciting video to follow along. Here are some of the absolute best kids yoga videos.

Kid Yoga Videos

Frozen | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Children’s Yoga Class with Ally Ford

KIDS YOGA | Crab Pose | Boketto Yoga 4 Kids

The Sun Dance Kids Yoga/Music Video by Bari Koral Family Rock Band

Kickapoo the Kangaroo | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Yoga for Kids! By Yoga Today

YOGA FOR KIDS By We Heart Yoga

Parsnip The Cat | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Yoga for Kids – Spring Yoga By Gaia

Tiny the T-Rex | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Wake Up Routine – Yoga for Kids – Tiny Turtle Yoga

ZEN MEDITATION FOR KIDS | itsy-bitsy Boketto

5 Minute Yoga flow, for kids!! | Boketto Yoga

Mimi the Mermaid | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Yoga for kids: Alphabet Yoga D V M & YOGA

The Very Hungry Caterpillar | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

Kids Yoga with Sheila Palmquist

Sport Yoga – Active Yoga for Kids Ages 3+ (Kick It)

4 Minute Yoga for Kids With Fightmaster Yoga

Lulu the Baby Lioness | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure!

I’d love to hear what your favorite kid yoga video is!

23Dec2017
Gymnastics For Kids, Indoor Play, Kids Fitness
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December 23, 2017

An active way of living could benefit kids in many aspects through their participation in sports.

Gymnastic is one of the best type of sports where kids get to learn discipline, coordination, strength, flexibility, balancing, speed and power. It simply benefits your kid’s overall development from general health, commitment, concentration, motor skills to social benefits.

Meet Kylee, the amazing 10-year-old level 8 gymnast who aims to go the Olympics some days.

This is a video to give you an insight into the world of this hardworking girl.

If you are interested in letting your kids learn gymnastics, watch this video now!

15Dec2017
Indoor Play, Kids Fitness, Sports for Kids
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December 15, 2017

Via Livestrong.com: How to Teach Bowling to Kids

Bowling is an activity that can keep the family entertained, especially on a rainy day or when winter nights chill the air. In addition, it’s a social activity for many teens. Teaching your kids how to bowl gives them a chance to enjoy some fun with you and friends, as well as gain some insight into the basic physics involved in the sport. With the advent of automated scoring, you can focus your attention on your kids and having a good time, rather than trying to calculate the correct score, making it a relaxing activity for all.

Step 1

Explain the rules of bowling. Each player tries to knock down 10 pins, typically using two tosses back-to-back. If you knock them over the first time, it’s a strike. If you combine to knock them all over with both tosses, or knock down all 10 with your second toss, it’s counted as a spare. If you don’t knock all of the pins down, you get a point for each one you do knock down. You get 10 turns, or frames, to bowl a full game.

Step 2

Prepare the kids for the noise of the bowling alley. Between the music, pins knocking together and balls rolling, bowling alleys can be quite noisy and scary for younger children. Let the kids know that it might be a bit loud at first but they’ll soon get used to it.

Step 3

Get the right weight of ball for your child. Younger kids need lighter balls of between 6 and 10 lbs. These are sometimes kept behind the service counter. Inquire with the desk about whether they store balls separately if you can’t find one for your child.

Step 4

Bring socks. If your kids don’t have socks on, they can’t typically use the bowling shoes provided by the alley operators. Make sure your kids either have socks on or have socks with them.

Step 5

Request that the bumpers be put into place. Most alleys have automatic bumpers, though some alleys need to lay the bumpers manually on either side of the lane. Bumpers prevent the ball from going into the gutters, ensuring that your child gets some points each time he bowls. This helps kids feel successful and minimizes frustration.

Step 6

Demonstrate a correct bowling technique. Point out the arrows, but don’t force your child to have perfect form from the start. Younger kids are likely to use the two-handed bend-and-throw, which is common among starting bowlers. Older kids might have an interest in learning how to use proper technique.

Step 7

Require your children to follow bowling etiquette, such as yielding to the player on the right to ensure he can bowl first if you both are ready at the same time. Reinforcing the importance of good manners is a critical lesson for kids, regardless of the sport involved.

Warnings

Don’t focus too much on scoring; older kids can watch the automatic system to gain a sense of how scores are tabulated, but younger kids will quickly lose interest.

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