Growing up, we have often heard the proverb “Health is Wealth”. But has it been an integral part of our lives? A practice which will be missed if skipped? Probably no, I am determined to change this for my twins.
Why it needs to be a routine?
In our technology-driven era, convenience is prioritized, leading to an increased reliance on machines for daily tasks. As a mother of 4 year old twins, I’m deeply concerned about the societal shifts as they are gradually and inadvertently impacting the future generation well being,
I aspire to bring exercise routine seamlessly into my twins daily activities, much like showering and brushing teeth. Nurturing habits at this age is pivotal, aiming for them to evolve from mere routines to intrinsic need.
Establishing exercise habits
To engage children in the process, it is important that, the activity is both fun and rewarding for them. Approach I took for my kids is:
Make it a game
It should be a routine that they are excited for, make it enjoyable rather than a task. The key is for them to relish the process, ensuring that it seamlessly becomes a part of their daily routine.
Workout with them
Children learn by observing your actions, so go beyond being a coach; let them witness your belief and active participation in the same activity.
Start your day with a workout
We start their day just 45 mins early than their usual wake up time. Since it’s the first activity, the likelihood of it being skipped is minimal.
Take weekends off
Weekends are for relaxation; allow your kids the freedom to wake up late and enjoy laid back days.
How to Workout as a Family?
Warm-up
Highlight the significance of warm-ups, before they delve into the core exercises. Start with some basic stretches and breathing exercises.
Warm-up phase should not cause them to feel tired. Tell your kids to stretch for the feeling of a gentle pull, not a painful feeling. Advise them to stretch after exercising. We follow the below stretching and breathing exercises
Kid’s Stretching Exercises | Easy Stretches for Kids | HPK (healthpoweredkids.org)
12 Fun and Easy Deep Breathing Exercises For Kids – Moshi (moshikids.com)
Its fun time!
The warm-up leads into the exciting segment they eagerly anticipate. For my kids its this yoga book called – The ABC’s of YOGA for KIDS. Everyday they pick two alphabets and do those yoga poses. The book has catchy rhymes and colorful illustrations for each alphabet yoga pose. My kids love it.
Identify your kids interests and try to build the routine around it. You can try few of the below fun activities with your kids
Go out for a walk
Walking is a simple yet a powerful form of exercise. It is suitable for all ages and fitness level.
Race them!
Turn it into a thrilling family affair by racing with your kids. Racing infuses excitement and fun in the routine. So, ditch the traditional exercises and participate in more adrenaline pumping and fun filled routines.
Seasonal activities
You can also, do seasonal activities, like going on biking, swimming or hikes with your little ones. It helps in breaking the monotony and adding fun to the routine.
Core exercise
End the routine with few core exercises, like sit ups, jumping jacks, high heels, push ups, bear walk, crab walk and then stretching.
Few more core exercise posts I follow:
16 Fun & Easy Core Exercises for Kids – Your Kid’s Table (yourkidstable.com)
The Easiest Core Strengthening Exercises for Kids – The Inspired Treehouse
Conclusion
“Phela sukh nirogi kaya”. First happiness is healthy body
“Dusra sukh ghar mei maya”. Second happiness is wealth at home
Stay healthy and keep everyone around you healthy.