Exercises for Your Child - Parenting

ladder may be raised and fastened at an incline for the child to crawl

down.

The desire to become familiar with gymnastic apparatuses develops a

child’s patience and perseverance. Some children stay busy on an

apparatus for more than half an hour, until they become familiar with

the exercise. Later, they often return to their first experience to feel

the satisfaction and appreciate their own achievements.

The apparatuses that we suggest are simple. If you can imagine something

new and more interesting, do not hesitate to introduce the equipment.

For exercises with children of this age, a variety of apparatuses should

be used. A ladder, a balloon, and wooden scantling are all good examples.

Clothes for completing the exercises don’t play a significant

role. Exercises completed on apparatuses, however, should be done barefooted

while wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

Remember that it’s better to do exercises with kids while listening

to music. Exercises completed to music develop the inborn feeling of rhythm.

This feeling of rhythm and plasticity of movements will be with your child

all his or her life.

Physical exercises for kids

1. The “Cross Your Hands” exercise
   

   
   

   Seat your child between your legs; his or her back should be pressed

   to your stomach. Take their left feet with your left hand, and right

   feet with your right hand. Help him or her to touch their right heel

   with his or her left hand. Next, stretch the child’s right leg

   forward and his or her left arm upwards. Repeat this exercise four times,

   changing the position of your child’s legs and arms each time.
   

   
   

   Finally, take his or her hands and cross them over his or her chest,

   slowly lifting them before crossing them again. Do this exercise four

   times.
   

   
   

2. The exercise for the abdominals
   

   
   

   Sit on the floor with you and your baby facing each other. His or her

   legs must be bent with his or her feet pressed to the floor -–

   the child’s hands should be crossed on his or her chest. Clasp

   your child’s ankles with your left hand (to help hold him or her

   in the correct position) and tell him or her to lie down very slowly.

   Take your child’s crossed hands with your right hand and help

   him or her return to the initial position. Repeat the exercise four

   to eight times.
   

   
   

3. The “Hoist a Flag” exercise
   

   
   

   Kneel together with your baby. Keep an eye on the position of your backs

   -- they must be parallel to the floor. Lift your right arm while turning

   your body to the right. The baby must do the same, but with the left

   arm. Your arms must be fully straightened during the exercise.
   

   
   

   Return to your starting position and change arms. Complete the exercise

   four to eight times.
   

   
   

4. The “Walk Like a Monkey” exercise
   

   
   

   Spread your legs. While trying not to bend your legs, press your hands

   against the floor. Persuade your baby to take the same position, then

   ask him or her to follow you as you press forward. Do the exercise at

   least two times.
   

   
   

5. “Rabbit” exercise
   

   
   

   Your child should squat down, taking the pose of a rabbit; you should

   do the same and jump together into the air. Try to squat deeply before

   each jump.
   

   
   

6. The “Duck” exercise
   

   
   

   Have your child squat; his or her hands must be in his or her armpits

   with the elbows lowered down. Do the same. Walk around the room like

   a duck while having your baby follow your movements. Your steps must

   be short –- no more than 30 centimeters at a time.
   

   
   

7. The “Frog” exercise
   

   
   

   Have your baby squat while placing his or her hands against the floor

   (preferably with the hands no more than 15 centimeters in front of the

   feet). You should take the same position next to your child. Next, transfer

   your weight to your hands and drag your feet to your hands in a jump

   
   
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