Copyright 2006 John Perry
In her book Smart Moves, Dr. Carla Hannaford
http://www.ladderoflearning.co.uk/Z/books/hannaford.php) tells
us why we must move to fully activate our learning potential.
I personally have written articles and e-books on the topic of
full body exercise to enhance flexibility, strength, balance,
coordination, energy levels and weight loss. These exercises can
be performed by 5 year olds to professional athletes.
Both Dr. Hannaford and I are talking about training the nervous
system in an effort to enhance mental and motor functioning. I
come at it from an exercise standpoint. I teach how to use your
hips and butt to train your brain for smooth, coordinated
movement patterns. Ultimately, this will allow the performer of
the exercises to move his or her body as it is intended to move
and the brain to function at a higher capacity. This produces an
energetic, happier, healthier and more stimulating lifestyle!
Did you know approximately nine million children over the age of
6 in the U.S. are considered obese and 2% receive help for some
type of learning disability? Let me tell you what you as parents
can do to help.
I am now going to lay out 5 tips that you and your children can
start doing today that will make all the difference in their
motor and mental functioning. You will be doing what my slogan
from my website promises; "training and teaching
today....educating for a lifetime".
1) I recommend that your family instill dynamic flexibility into
your day. These are exercises designed to enhance balance and
flexibility of your muscles and joints. You are actually moving
while you are stretching, not the "hold for 10 seconds" variety
of the past.
Two good examples of this type of stretching would be: 1. a
walking lunge, with rotation to the leg that is forward,
alternating legs with each step 2. The "inchworm", in which you
start in a push up position, walk your feet to your hands,
keeping your legs straight and then walk your hands back to the
push up position...like an inchworm. These dynamic stretches
improve balance, strength, coordination and most importantly,
flexibility.
2) Combine family time and play time. While on walks with the
family, instruct the children to skip, hop, balance on 1 leg,
"tightrope walk" the curb or bear crawl in the grass (like
follow the leader). This will stimulate the child's' nervous
system and be fun at the same time. Let each family member take
turns deciding the activity; this will bring out creativity in
your children.
I realize the younger the child, the shorter the attention span
tends to be. I recommend letting them lead the activity but
gradually steer them back to more exercise related tasks.
3) Have your children drink plenty of water. A half an ounce of
water per pound of body weight would be good. If your child
weighs 70 pounds for example, then 35 ounces a day would be a
good start. Unfortunately, a lot of children, and adults, are
dehydrated a big percentage of the time.
Adequate water intake will allow normal muscle, brain and other
organ functioning. It will help their alertness, creativity,
social skills and success in schoolwork.
4) Have your children eat 3 meals and 2 healthy snacks a day.
Breakfast is a must! Get them up earlier if that is what it
takes! Meals should include proteins, carbohydrates and 8 ounces
of water or juice. A good rule of thumb is for every gram of
protein, have 3 grams of carbohydrate. Make sure you include
fruits and vegetables, which are carbohydrates.
If you, as parents, follow this eating pattern, the more likely
your kids are going to adhere to it as well. Healthy snacks
include fruits, nuts and cereals. Bon appetite'!
5) Limit T.V. to 1-2 hours a day...for starters. Children's
brains go into a lower level of functioning while watching T.V.,
a "passive" mode if you will. Active thought and reason do not
occur.
Children's (and adults') brains need to be stimulated by the
world and people around them. Their brains, muscles and joints
will be much better off when the T.V. is turned off and they are
moving or at least engaged in participatory conversation! I
know, I know, I am a fan of reality T.V. too; but, please give
it a try!
6) Bonus: Use the internet to learn more about exercise and how
it can improve your health and mental status. You and your
children can learn from the exponential amount of information
available on the internet. This can also be good, quality family
time.
As you can see, all of these things can be done very easily and
immediately. Introducing them to your family will be fun, maybe
a little challenging, but, definitely rewarding.
The bottom line is to get your children moving to stimulate
their body and brain. It is the best thing you can do for their
physical and mental health!
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we
give." -Winston Churchill
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