BURNING ENERGY: How Mini Athletics engages kids in physical activities
Sam McDermott
Helping Headteachers & Nursery Managers in South East London achieve EYFS standards in physical education by providing an imaginative & inspiring sports programme. Early years | Game based learning | Physical literacy
"Youthful exuberance and boundless energy are the lifeblood of any sport. It's the fuel that ignites passion, determination, and the relentless pursuit of greatness." - Sir Alex Ferguson
Children possess boundless energy, and it's crucial to provide them with positive outlets to burn off that excess vigour in a healthy and constructive manner. At Mini Athletics, we recognize the importance of incorporating physical activity into children's daily routines. By creating an environment where kids can have fun while being active, we empower them to release their energy and embrace the joy of movement. Let's explore how Mini Athletics helps children burn off their energy and discover a few tips for integrating physical activity into their everyday lives.
Run, Play, and Explore
Running is a fundamental skill, and at Mini Athletics, we transform it into an exciting adventure for our mini athletes. Through high-energy games, we encourage children to experience the thrill of running while improving their coordination, balance, listening skills, and overall enjoyment of movement. Whether it's setting up tracks, obstacle courses, or engaging in "Animal Races," our activities provide an opportunity for kids to release their energy and have a blast. Games such as these can easily be recreated while out exploring their surroundings, such as local parks or other outdoor spaces. Not just a walk in the park, but an adventure in the Jungle!
Jump, Hop, and Skip
Jumping is not only incredibly fun but also a fantastic way to develop strength and coordination in children. Our classes incorporate various jumping activities to engage kids in learning and growing. Colourful spot mats become the stage for hopping, skipping, and jumping in different patterns, while jumping over and under objects enhances their skills and confidence. These activities promote improved balance, agility, and overall motor skills. Additionally, our Teenies sessions, designed for walkers to 2 years, incorporate free play, allowing toddlers to explore equipment, develop gross motor skills, and become aware of their spatial surroundings. Parents can further encourage physical activity at home by engaging their children in games like hide and seek or hopscotch or by creating exciting obstacle courses using everyday objects like cushions, tunnels, and chairs.
The Art of Throwing
Throwing activities provide an opportunity for children to develop hand-eye coordination, build upper-body strength and release any pent-up energy. At Mini Athletics, we introduce small balls, bean bags, and foam javelins, creating engaging challenges that allow kids to aim at targets or toss objects into designated areas. Through these activities, children not only enhance their motor skills but also foster spatial awareness and concentration. Parents can replicate similar challenges at home using everyday objects, encouraging children to throw soft toys into a basket during tidy-up time or water plants with the precision they have learned in class. Believe it or not, even chores can be transformed into opportunities for physical activity! And who remembers our at home superstars during the pandemic, what they achieved at home with a few saucepans, scrunched up pieces of papers and lots of rolled up socks was absolutely amazing!
Athletics Events
To further enhance our classes' excitement, we coach ‘real’ athletics events that encompass running, jumping, and throwing. Mini hurdles or cones provide opportunities for children to practice their running skills, while practicing long jump and high jump techniques allow them to experience the joy of leaping. Lightweight shot puts, foam javelins, and cones for discus are introduced for throwing competitions, enabling children to showcase their throwing abilities. This promotes friendly competition, teamwork, and the thrill of participating in sports, fostering a love for physical activity and athletic pursuits. Relays also offer a fantastic way to engage kids, where they take turns running, hopping, or jumping while passing a baton or object to their teammates. This encourages cooperation, coordination, and healthy competition among our mini athletes. These relays not only promote physical activity but also enhance social skills and team bonding.
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Getting nap ready!
Following the invigorating session, gathering together to acknowledge the children’s successes on the podium becomes a powerful moment of pride and motivation. It provides an opportunity to cooldown, where everyone gets sticker, everyone gets a round of applause and everyone gets the chance to wave at their fans! With their accomplishments celebrated, it's time to send the kids off for a nap, their bodies and minds ready to rest and rejuvenate, reflecting on their achievements and preparing for future adventures! Incorporating yoga poses into a child’s routine is a wonderful way to keep children active while fostering relaxation. Simple poses like downward dog, tree pose, and warrior pose can be easily practiced. Additionally, there are numerous kid-friendly yoga videos available online to make the experience even more enjoyable. Mini Athletics burns off children’s energy, embraces their successes, and nurtures their well-being.
In conclusion, Mini Athletics provides a comprehensive and engaging approach to help children burn off excess energy as part of their everyday routine. By incorporating activities such as running, jumping, throwing, and providing a foundation for future athletic events, we empower children to develop physical skills, confidence, and a lifelong passion for active living. Through celebratory cooldowns, we also facilitate a transition to a state of calmness and relaxation after energetic play. By integrating these fun and age-appropriate activities into your child's daily routine, you can foster their physical well-being while ensuring they have a blast along the way. So, let's embrace the joy of movement, ignite the athletic potential within our little stars, and watch them thrive with Mini Athletics!?And most importantly provide parents with an opportunity to relax as their child enjoys a well-deserved nap following our high-energy classes!
Come see for yourself!
We have Mini Athletics sports classes for toddlers/children (walkers to 8 year olds), across 4 different age groups, as well as run sessions for schools and nurseries to help them keep their littles ones active. If you’d like your little ones to experience all that Mini Athletics South East London has to offer please get in touch or book your place on our website (www.miniathletics.com/mini-athletics-south-east-london-summary).