Are you one of those parents that berates others for allowing their children to sit in front of the TV or do you find it is something that keeps them entertained while you get other things done?
I am in the middle and can see the benefits of a tech savvy child, heck its the day and age we live in and they use computers in schools now! However I do love the outdoors and my children have always been so incredibly different once they have spent time outdoors instead of being cooped up, their faces come alive and they seem to be a lot happier after a bout of fresh air!
Out and About in Town
We are lucky that we live in such a beautiful town with so many interesting areas to visit and enjoy. Durham had a cathedral and many fabulous wooded areas that the kids love exploring, the river banks are great for walking along on both summer days when you get to see the rowers and of course in winter when you get to see all the fallen leaves and frost! We have Hamsterley Forest close by which is great for bike trails and ramblers, we have spent many an hour walking around the woods, playing pooh sticks over the bridge and paddling in the waters. The good thing is there are tracks so you can allow the kids to stretch their legs and run ahead while you amble up behind them.
Lifes A Beach
The great thing about the UK is that you can live near forests but also near the beach too and thankfully we have one around 10 miles away. It is actually where I was born and raised, Seaham beach is now a thriving town with lots of cute little seafront shops and cafes and the seafront spreads for miles so great to get the kids out and involved. We love nothing more than walking along the beach at the waters edge, splashing in the water and picking pebbles to decorate once we get home. There is something about the smell of the sea that is so relaxing and looking out over the water just puts into perspective how small we all really are… and who doesn’t love spending time hunting in the rock pools!
Keeping Fit in School
We are lucky in that we have just moved to a small village that has an equally small number of students in the school. This means a lot of one on one time and the parents are passionate about what goes on within the walls of the school. There are a number of after school classes and Breakfast clubs where the children do exercise and games to keep them active. Nothing stimulates a childs brain more than being on the go so to know that our school encourage activity both inside and outside of class is a bonus! With 1 in 3 children between the ages of 2 and 10 being obese something needs to be done to combat this problem.
ESP play, specialists in school playground design, playground equipment for schools and CPD training, have carried out research and some of the results are truly shocking – did you know that more than 1000 children being referred to hospital as a result of obesity?! No, I didn’t either!
With multi skill concepts and CPD training programmes designed to improve activity levels in the playground during break times and PE lessons ESP play have seen a proven 19% increase in physical activity by implementing their methods! Staff at the school are given comprehensive training to implement these multi-skills lessons through our CPD training programs, which are designed to up-skill school staff and improve their PE lessons and knowledge of multi-skills activities.
The PE and Sport premium which is available to all schools throughout the UK can be used to invest in professional development for teachers and for facilities to improve PE and sport. This funding comes as a result of recent Ofsted reports, which state a great disappointment in PE lessons within some schools, The ESP Research stating that 68% of a childs PE lesson is spent stationary. This really surprised me since I can remember PE at school and we never seemed to stop! I swear my teachers were drill sergents!
Do you worry about the amount of activity your little ones do? Is obesity an issue you have faced or are likely to face with you toddler?
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post with ESP play
One response to “Keeping Little Ones Active!”
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I’m definitely in the middle when it comes to indoors and outdoors. Sometimes i am so grateful for TV etc and that I don’t need to leave the house but there is nothing that my son loves more than getting outside, even if it’s just into the garden or a walk around the block.