Saturday, March 14, 2009

Keeping Your Kids Physically Active

Keeping kids more physically active in today's day and age is increasingly becoming more difficult because many forms of entertainment are televison and video games. The majority of kids don't live on farms and have to be up at dawn to work and get the much needed exercise. Children today must find creative outlets that allow to be more interested to get away from the television and video games from time to time. If children are given the proper toys and resources they will take advantage of them.

Sports are a good way to get a child active. They are one of the most common ways to get a child physically fit and they also promote social development skills. For example, depending on the age of the child, a mini basketball rim would be great way to for a youngster to get some exercise. They can call their friends over and play against one another. Soccer ball, a tee ball set, football, a goalie net, puck, and hockey stick, all these are a good source of exercise. Table tennis would be a good way to build hand eye coordination.

If the child isn't into sports there are a variety of tents and tunnels that can be placed in the back yard. These tents can serve as fort and create a world of fantasy for young children. Those who have the space jungle gyms are an excellent means of exercise because they contain many features such as swings, slides, and climbing bars. They are really an all in one child workout center.

Obviously bicycles are very common for people of all ages. If one is looking for an alternative to a bicycle a pogo stick would do the trick. Pogo sticks are intended for kids over the age of three. There are scooters, 3-wheel riders, and pedal cars which are all good ways to get those little legs moving. Hopscotch is another fun source of exercise especially for young girls.

Any physical activity will be highly beneficial to a child and can lead them on a path to a better, healthier life. While circumstances and parenting habits are different, scheduling a time for a child to be physically active may be a good idea. Who knows, a child who frequently becomes active in a particular sports mat make a career out of it. It is important to expose a child as many physical activities as possible.

Building Your Child's Mind

Toddler toys are widely used to help a child get familiar with its surrounding. It helps the child in nurturing its capabilities with the use of toys. It's great to know that we have wide variety of toys to choose from. As parents, we should be picky when it comes to choosing the right kind of toys; those that are educational and at the same time can bring a lot of fun. A toddler needs a lot of opportunity to play and explore the world around him. Try to give toys that create fun activities that would help your child to mature into his talents. Start developing your toddler's talent by knowing what it is.

Provide him toys that range creativity in many ways. Shape sorter, toddler cubes, large pieces of puzzle, wooden toys and bath toys are some of the toys that can nurture your child's talent. Books are the top most tools that can widen your child's imagination and can help you to get to know your child more.

Here are some useful tips that would help parents in nurturing their child's mind and body:

- Supply them with pop-up books, chunky board books, books with animals, books with shapes and ABC flash cards. Toddlers can get easily acquainted with them. They will surely love the books since it seems to feed their eyes with colors and lots of shapes.

- Invite other toddlers to join your baby while playing. Give them toddler toys to play with. Try to expand your child's world. For children, their mommy is the most important person in the world, though you should teach your child to get acquainted with others. Introduce your child with other faces, who can be playmates. Teach him how to make friends even in early stage. They could make lots of fun especially with a lot of child their age.

- Take your child to the park or playground. Have a little walk while you tell the things you see on the way. Tell your toddler what's this and what's that? It's a bit surprising but they actually understand what you're trying to say.

- Have a habit of reading your a book to your child before going to sleep. Bible books are great as bedtime stories. Be a good story teller by bringing the characters into life. A toddler loves to hear stories lovingly told by their moms.

- Play classical music while you put them to sleep. Your toddler will feel as if he is being rock to sleep. There are also ABC songs and mother goose rhymes that come out in CD and cassette forms. At daytime, turn on the CD while they play. You'll be surprise how your child follow the rhythms through hums and sooner, memorize the words!

Ahead start in teaching your child is the best start. A toddler's mind needs to be filled with information. To make teaching a lot more easily, try to be informal and cool. You don't need to be so serious about this matter. Teach while having fun. This is possible when you have a lot of toddler toys to choose from. Be creative and share the happiness your child experiences while they learn.