Body in Motion

 

Do you have a whole bunch of pictures of your kids that look like this one?

Kids are always on the move. Always. And this is as it should be. Movement actually primes their brains for learning. Every time children move they strengthen the connections between their brains and their bodies, improving their ability to put their thoughts into action. Kids who engage in high-quality movement activities become competent and confident. This I know. (I am a professional, you see... I know all about this kind of thing.)

But, boy, at the end of the day, the parent in me can get quite exhausted by the fervor of my fast and furious four-year-old.

Enter: the nightly obstacle course. To channel Jack's boundless energy in the evening (it usually peaks right before dinner) we send him on a three-thing obstacle course. We assign him three challenges which he has to remember and accomplish. For example, tonight he had to do ten laps from the front door to the back door, walk on his hands (with Daddy holding his feet), and play "indoor catch" until he made 10 consecutive catches.This definitely channels his energy in a more positive direction. (More positive then, say, climbing on Mommy, crashing into the couch, and spinning around like a whirling dervish until he collapses into a dizzy heap.) Usually, by the end of his obstacle course, he's ready to sit down and take a load off. And, if we have timed it right, this may just coincide with dinner being placed on the table.

I tell you, it works wonders. When his energy level challenges me, I just have to remind myself to challenge him right back. It seems kids don't calm down quite as well as they calm up.

I would snap a picture to show you what I mean, but I'm sure it would just be one big blur.

How do you channel your kid's energy at the end of the day?

Comments

[Chica Schmica]

"When his energy level challenges me, I just have to remind myself to challenge him right back." This is such great advice. I love the obstacle course idea. I try to do simple ones with my toddler, but I've never attempted it during the evening, when her energy really *does* need channeling. Thanks for a great post!

[rowena]

That obstacle course is a great idea.

My 3 year old is a very active one, and he has been since he was 18 months. I have to admit that I resort to videos, pbs and noggin far too frequently, but I am starting to recover my brain and stamina.

Sometimes all I need to do is let him out into the garden with a couple of sticks, or a jug of water, or a magnifying glass.

[Michie]

I'm going to have to try the obstacle course idea. My 3 1/2 year old has SO MUCH energy, it amazes me how she keeps going and going sometimes. I often tell her she needs to "get the wiggles out" and have her shimmy and shake her body before sometime I'd like her to sit.

Sometimes I also ask her to do something and inbetween tasks have her run somewhere. This morning I had her help me take the dirty sheets off of the bed. After the pillowcase came off, I told her to run and put it in the laundry basket and then run back. Sometimes this seems to help divert a little energy too.

[Andie]

Dance parties are a hit at our house, I like the obstacle course idea. I think I'll have a bunch of ideas on popsicle sticks to pull out of a jar before the energy spins out of control.