October Focus: Squats, Jumping Patterns, and Core Stability
Dear Parents,
We’re excited to share what’s coming up in our kids’ class this month! Throughout October, we’ll be focusing on teaching fundamental movement patterns that are not only fun but crucial for your child’s development. This month, we’ll dive into squats, jumping, lunges, and core stability—movements that will help your kids build strength, coordination, and body awareness.
Here’s what your child will be learning in class:
Squats: Building Strength from the Ground Up
Squats are a foundational exercise that strengthens the entire lower body. For kids, learning how to squat properly can improve their posture, balance, and strength. In our classes, we will:
- Teach Proper Squat Technique: We’ll focus on body positioning, such as keeping the knees in line with the toes and maintaining a strong, straight back.
- Make It Fun: We’ll incorporate squats into games and activities that help kids practice while having fun.
- Improve Flexibility and Coordination: By encouraging your child to squat correctly, they’ll naturally improve flexibility in their hips and legs, which is important for everyday activities.
Why Squats Are Important for Kids: Squats help children develop strong legs and hips, improving their ability to run, jump, and play. Plus, squatting supports healthy growth by building strong muscles and bones.
Jumping Patterns: Boosting Power and Agility
Jumping is not only fun, but it’s also great for developing explosive power and coordination. This month, we’ll be focusing on teaching safe jumping techniques. Here’s how:
- Practice Vertical Jumps: We’ll guide your child in jumping with proper form—using their legs, core, and arms to generate height and power.
- Fun with Plyometrics: Expect to see activities like obstacle courses, hopscotch, and jumping games that teach proper landing techniques while keeping things engaging.
- Safe Landings: We’ll place a big emphasis on teaching kids how to land softly with bent knees, protecting their joints and preventing injury.
Why Jumping Matters for Kids: Jumping helps improve strength and endurance, but it also enhances coordination and balance. It’s a great way for kids to boost their athleticism and confidence.
Lunges: Improving Balance and Coordination
Lunges are an excellent way to build single-leg strength and improve balance. In class, we’ll be teaching kids how to lunge with proper form:
- Teaching Safe Lunge Technique: Your child will learn how to step into a lunge while maintaining good posture, keeping their knees and hips aligned.
- Interactive Learning: Through games and challenges, kids will practice lunges in a way that feels natural and fun, helping them develop better balance and body control.
- Building Strength in Fun Ways: We’ll incorporate dynamic activities that make lunging part of the action, such as relay races or team-based challenges.
Why Lunges Are Great for Kids: Lunges strengthen the muscles in the legs and core while helping kids develop coordination. It’s a great way to improve their overall balance, which is important for many physical activities and sports.
Core Stability: The Foundation of Movement
A strong core is key to supporting all the movements we’ll be working on this month. Kids will learn the importance of core stability and how to engage their core muscles during exercises:
- Fun Core Exercises: We’ll include kid-friendly planks, animal crawls, and other playful activities that promote core strength without feeling like “exercise.”
- Core Engagement in All Movements: Whether they’re squatting, lunging, or jumping, we’ll guide kids to engage their core muscles for better stability and control.
- Balance and Body Awareness: We’ll introduce activities that challenge their balance, teaching them to use their core muscles to stay steady and coordinated.
Why Core Stability Matters for Kids: A strong core helps with posture, balance, and overall strength. By learning to engage their core, kids will be able to perform better in sports, have better posture, and reduce the risk of injury as they grow.
What to Expect This Month
By the end of the month, your child will have a stronger understanding of how to move their body safely and efficiently. Here’s what they’ll take away from October’s focus:
- Better movement patterns and coordination
- Increased strength in their legs and core
- Improved balance and posture
- More confidence in physical activities
As always, our goal is to make fitness fun and engaging for your kids while teaching them skills that will benefit their health and development long term. We can’t wait to see how they progress this month with squats, jumping, lunges, and core stability!
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to an active and exciting October!
Coach Kayleigh