Raising Healthy Homeschoolers
Monday, October 2nd, 2006By Mimi Rothschild
Maybe your home isn’t equipped with an olympic sized pool, a mechanized weights gym, basketball court, or an on-hand personal trainer. That doesn’t mean that your kids can’t get in a good daily workout. As a parent and a homeschool teacher, you’re obligated to ensure that your kids live a healthy, active, lifestyle. This means that we have to think creatively about ways to keep fit. Here are some suggestions for homeschoolers that will not only help you stay healthy but will come in handy in compiling your year-end portfolios.
Nature Walk/Jog: This is a great way to combine gym class and science. If you are particularly ambitious, you could even throw in a Bible lesson about the beauty of God’s creation! Find a nature trail in a nearby park. If you can’t find one, run a few laps around the block and pray for your neighbors.
Organized Sports: You’d be surprised how easy it is to get your child signed up to play sports for local school teams. This will provide your child with an extra source of peer socialization. Being part of a team is an invaluable social experience. Contact schools in your area to find out what opportunities exist.
Thrift Store Exercise Equipment: Exercise equipment is and forever will be a staple of thrift shops. We have a tendency to spend loads of cash on brand new, trendy exercise equipment, only to use it as a towel rack for the next few months. Why not give these neglected bikes, treadmills, and free weights new life? You can find good-as-new equipment for a fraction of the price at most second-hand stores.
YMCA or Fitness Classes: While these are a little more expensive than the above options, many gyms and clubs offer family rates, minimizing the cost. As an added bonus, many of these institutions offer karate, tai bo, pilates, and many other forms of exercise that are best performed in groups.
Family Sports: If you have a large family or live in a neighborhood with lots of kids, it’s easy to come up with impromptu games and sporting events. My homeschoolers are always tearing around outside with capture the flag, hide and seek, volleyball, and more. Gym class doesn’t have to be organized as long as hearts are beating and bodies are sweating. Here are some more ideas for ways to complete your physical education requirement.
Household Chores: You’d be surprised how easy it is to work up a sweat using a push mower. Even dusting and gardening have the potential to become calorie-burning activities. I’ve found that turning labor-intensive chores into gym class motivates my kids to get the job done faster. Challenge your homeschooling children to see how fast they can get their hearts beating by doing specific chores. Turn it into a game!