nicholsonhomeschool Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 My son (7) really needs to get up and wiggle during the course of our school day. We schedule a walk every morning and I try to get away from the desk as often as we can (take a blanket out the the yard, hop on the swing...) And we stop for jumping jacks breaks here and there. But I was wondering if there are ideas for getting the brain waves flowing. I've heard of Brain Gym but don't much about it. Or just simple exercises that you do inside? Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Jumproping? An exercise ball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholsonhomeschool Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Thanks! I've heard of children sitting on exercise balls while doing school work -- would you suggest trying this? Of COURSE I just gave away the exercise ball... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in VA Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I send my kids out to jump on the trampoline. They sell little indoor ones too. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We actually use ours as a desk chair. I am thinking of getting one for each of the kids. It allows my kids to wiggle while still being productive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Acting out what you are reading--my boys always like to act out SOTW as I read it Balancing on one foot to do one math problem or read one word then switching for the next or balance while I read the question (for something like SOTW) then swich feet when you answer Running to find answers-- math and grammar seem to work easy- putting up numbers for math facts all around the room and he runs to the answer, or the sentance type or part of speech, could also work for learning sounds -run to the "m" Throwing a ball back and forth for each answer- again math facts work well, or spelling words, or foriegn language vocabulary... In general my boys have always lived timers. How long does it take to run around the house 3 times? How many blocks can we pick up in 30 sec? How long can you sit against the wall (you know where you look like you are sitting but there isn't a chair there- I've always liked that exercise because it is so still and quiet ;))? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We do a jumping game for math facts/ spelling/etc. I put them at the end of the hallway and give them a fact/ word/ whatever. If they get it right, they take a big leap to me. If it's wrong, they either go back or stay put. They "win" when they reach me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampamommy Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Any combination of the following - 1. jumping jacks (they're so adorable when they are little and learning these and their arms and feet are all jumbled up!) 2. push-ups (on knees when learning proper form) 3. stomach crunches 4. squat thrusts (remember these from phys. ed in the olden days?) 5. chin-ups (on a tree branch if you don't have a bar) 6. running or jogging a short distance, outside - or doing it in place inside 7. exercise balls are great for children to bounce on while doing memory work 8. marching in place or around the house like a parade. Give them pots and pans, wooden spoons and lids to bang for a few minutes like a marching band That's all for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholsonhomeschool Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 So many great ideas -- thank you! We're going to get all the wiggles out tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Rolling is a favorite with my son right now. Also bear crawl, snake slither, and horse gallop work for us indoors. Maybe a few stretches and/or yoga poses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We do a jumping game for math facts/ spelling/etc. I put them at the end of the hallway and give them a fact/ word/ whatever. If they get it right, they take a big leap to me. If it's wrong, they either go back or stay put. They "win" when they reach me. Same type of thing here. But we use the stairs since little man can't jump as far as the big guys. I ask questions based on what we are working on at their level and a right answer they go up a step...wrong answer they go down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayt ul-Hikmah Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We're really enjoying Yoga Pretzels. We take a five-pose break mid school day. I find that my boys get plenty of activity of the tearing-it-up variety playing outdoors in the afternoons. Providing open ended active breaks during school time is counter productive (for us) as it's challenging for my boys to settle back into quiet work. These yoga cards challenge us (I participate too lol) to focus on our bodies and increase our strength, balance, and flexibility. It is physical, yes, but not loud or rowdy, and therefore easy to transition out of back into schoolwork. The cards themselves are great -- sturdy, large, clear illustrations, kid-friendly pose names, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicalTwins Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Loving these ideas!!!:lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 About mid-morning my three boys and one of my girls go out to the basketball goal and shoot 50 baskets each in about 10 to 15 minutes. It makes for a good break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFKC Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We're an early start here -- so after morning activities are complete, from 9:00 - 9:30 we toggle: Run around the block together (means mom has her tennies and jog bra at the ready) or yoga and meditation (using an iPhone meditation app and a fabulous poster of positions from "Laughing Lotus Yoga" here in SF) http://sf.laughinglotus.com/ These are LIFESAVERS! Also, frequent snacking. Astounding what a stack of sunflower seeds on hand can produce is this what they call "over share"... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholsonhomeschool Posted August 22, 2010 Author Share Posted August 22, 2010 ooh, i like the yoga suggestions too! the cards look like something we could shuffle and pick a few for a 5-minute break. and the exercise ball is on the way. thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in St Louis Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 We love this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 I send my kids out to jump on the trampoline. They sell little indoor ones too. Heather Our OT recommended getting a trampoline. I would have gotten one years earlier if dh had allowed it. The OT's recommendation gave me a little more leverage. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verity Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 We do a jumping game for math facts/ spelling/etc. I put them at the end of the hallway and give them a fact/ word/ whatever. If they get it right, they take a big leap to me. If it's wrong, they either go back or stay put. They "win" when they reach me. I love this idea! Going to try this with my 8 year old this week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 How about a small exercise trampoline? My kids used to jump on one inside all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woolspinner Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Play the song and do the actions they call out. My kids have loved this for years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birchbark Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I often send DS out to "run around the house three times." He loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Trampoline sends my DS into the stratosphere. I guess it must wear out some children, as I see it listed often as a good physical activity. But it just makes my son more bouncy and unfocused. He has to do something physical that also engages his brain. I love FitDeck cards: http://www.fitdeck.com/ We own the Jr set and the Speed Ladder set. The Jr set can easily be done in the house. I will pick 5-10 cards and we will do a few cards between subjects. We don't have a ladder to go with the Speed Ladder cards, rather draw one on the driveway with chalk. I will set up 3-4 patterns and we will work our way through them. We also go for nature walks - either around the block or simply out into the back yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishmommy Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Ha ha ha ha, chicken fat! I had totally forgotten about that song. I'm totally going to use it tomorrow!:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeacademy Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Running to find answers-- math and grammar seem to work easy- putting up numbers for math facts all around the room and he runs to the answer, or the sentance type or part of speech, could also work for learning sounds -run to the "m" We used to do something similar and called it "Grasshopper Math". If the driveway wasn't buried in snow I wrote big numbers in chalk, then called out a problem (6+2) or whatever and the kids had to jump to the answer. I didn't think about using it with sounds, but that would be great too. In the winter I used index cards with the answers and scattered them around the living room. I'd forgotten about this. Thanks for the reminder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAMommy Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 We're really enjoying Yoga Pretzels. We take a five-pose break mid school day. I find that my boys get plenty of activity of the tearing-it-up variety playing outdoors in the afternoons. Providing open ended active breaks during school time is counter productive (for us) as it's challenging for my boys to settle back into quiet work. These yoga cards challenge us (I participate too lol) to focus on our bodies and increase our strength, balance, and flexibility. These cards are wonderful!! In addition we have a very inexpensive pair of rings that we got from IKEA & we've mounted them into the basement ceiling. This way when it's raining or snowing, DD & DS can go downstairs & do a circuit (balance ball, wobble board, rings, mini-trampoline & jump rope) It works great for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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