Get Motivated Through Music

This is a sponsored post.

This post is also part of my #FightLatinoObesity series. 

As a homeschooling mom, I'm always looking for ways to keep my kids active and healthy. We're fortunate to live on a small farm with lots of trees and space for outdoor games. But during the winter, those outdoor activities really take a hit. So it's up to me to look for indoor exercises like yoga, exercise videos, and more. In the summer we swim and hike, garden and haul hay (small farm, remember?). I've also investigated trackers that monitor physical activity year round. But I still look for ways to get the most out of these activities. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that music may be the answer. 

Studies have shown that music can increase the intensity and duration of a workout by as much as 15%.  Unfortunately, most people miss out on those benefits because their earphones hurt and fall out during active use. Simple equipment can extend a good exercise session for children and adults. Do your children use earphones when they're exercising? If not, you might try yurbuds, a brand of Stereo-Bluetooth® earphones that use TwistLock™ Technology and FlexSoft Comfort Fit to lock in place comfortably and are guaranteed never to hurt or fall out. They're even compatible with all Bluetooth® devices.

Here's a list of some of our favorite songs that really energize us and motivate us to move - even it if is simple dancing in the living room:

• Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 - Mais Que Nada
• Anything from The BeeGees!
• Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha by Putumayo 
• Disco Inferno
• The Gypsy Kings!

What songs get your family movin'?

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Disclaimer: As a Best Buy Ambassador, I have been compensated for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.

Upside Right Encourages Children to Be Active

While we are on the subject of exercise (read the previous post), I want to share with you a great resource that I received a week or so ago in the mail. Upside Right: A Children's Guide to Movement is a new picture book that encourages children to be active. I was so happy to receive a digital copy of this story, which is written in verse by Gaetano Amato, a movement specialist who has developed movement programs for children.

The book is filled with colorful illustrations depicting children enjoying various types of activity. As they turn the pages, your children/students will learn about - and be encouraged to explore - spacial awareness, changes of direction, locomotor movements, changes of speed, traveling on different body parts, body shapes, and balancing.

Parents and teachers can also purchase a Teacher Edition, which includes lesson plans to accompany the text, and helps you to create effective physical education lessons.

I might just mention that the book also contains 75 words from the Dolch Sight Word list for children through third grade. It is so great to find a book that serves a double purpose: reading practice and movement lessons!

Upside Right has also led to the formation of Get Kids Moving Now, a private organization whose goal is to get kids involved in physical activities through reading. To learn more about the book, or to place an order, visit their website: www.GetKidsMovingNow.com. You can also follow them on Facebook.


Con mucho cariño...

Exercise Affects Academic Performance

A few years ago, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association published a study which stated that the "prevalence of overweight in the US population is among the highest in Mexican-American children and adolescents." Poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and low socioeconomic status were a few of the reasons listed for this statistic. I want to point out that the study said it was highest in Mexican-American children, and I would dare say that many children of other Latino (and non-Latino) heritage are affected as well.

Obesity is something that can affect all areas of a person's life. And I think that students, especially, can suffer negatively from this condition. Being overweight itself doesn't necessarily affect the academic performance of a child, so much as do the factors that contribute to being overweight. Diet for one, can have a profound impact on a child's ability to focus and successfully learn complex skills like reading and math. It is amazing the amount of energy your brain burns while learning to read!

I've talked before about diet over on Mi Cielito Lindo, and so today I'd like to stress the importance of physical exercise. Staying active is SO CRUCIAL for developing bodies - especially brains! Exercise helps to increase blood flow to your body, flushes toxins from your blood stream, and produces endorphins, which can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy. It also helps you sleep better (and kids need lots of SLEEP!!) See this article at KidsHealth.org (also available in Spanish). And according to WebMD, "Exercise increases energy levels and increases serotonin in the brain, which leads to improved mental clarity."

Okay. So we know our kids need to be active. The question is: How do we accomplish this? Homeschool families, especially, may find this a difficult challenge. So here are some ways to get your kids moving:

Sports

Many community centers, schools, and YMCA's offer sports programs throughout the year. I have my kids enrolled in a swim class at our local YMCA. Unfortunately, it is only once a week, but that's the best I can afford until my son "graduates" from nursery school this summer. I'm looking forward to signing them up for swim team next fall.

Also, many public schools allow homeschool students to participate in their afterschool sports programs. Check with a school near you.

Parks

Local parks can be a blessing. Ours is. And I'll let you in on a little secret: The more kids at the park, the greater the activity level. You don't have to force your kids to play with a bunch of strangers. If your child is shy, or you are worried about bullies, invite another homeschool family to go with you. It is a wonderful opportunity for the parents to exchange homeschooling tips while the kids socialize and exercise at the same time.




Photo by kretyen

Dance

Sign your kids up for a dance class. Not only will they get some good exercise, but they'll also have a chance to work on their grace and poise! There are a lot of options here, too: ballet, jazz/tap, flamenco, ballet folklorico, ballroom, etc.
 

Invest

If you have a nice backyard (or frontyard, for that matter) kick those kids outside! All you really need to do is invest in some good equipment: soccer balls, frisbees, basketballs, footballs, swings, chalk (for hopscotch), jumping ropes, bocce ball, etc.


Play Games

In addition to those mentioned above, other good activities include water balloons, car washing, window washing (kids love this for some reason!), gardening, and fairy house building.

Here are a few more links to fun outdoor activities:

• Outdoor Activities for Children Ages 6-10 (This is a MEGA-list of fun activities!)

• Outdoor Games And Activities



Con mucho cariño...