WAYS TO PLAN FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Provide space for throwing (into hoops, into pillows, into containers).
• Use recorded or taped music to stimulate movement. Provide an open area and props such as scarves, streamers, balloons.
• Set up an obstacle course that has climbing, balancing, crawling, hopping.
• Use an old mattress(or mat) for tumbling.
• Do exercises: Mousercize, an exercise video, an active record.

WAYS TO FIGHT BOREDOM

• Rotate toys, change art materials.
• Change the wall decorations, or rearrange the furniture with the children's advice.
• Have special days-yellow day, sweat suite day, stuffed animal day, upside down day. Dress and play accordingly.
• Alter your activities and schedule: have an indoor picnic; bring snow inside to play with in plastic dish pans.
• Start a project that will last for several days: making a play house, boat, or train out of a big empty box; cooking something that can take two days; art that involves making materials, using them, drying them, anything which involves time.

WAYS TO REDUCE THE TENSION

• Create private spaces for children by: making a tent with a card table and a blanket; making private cozy places with a bean bag or floor pillow in a corner.
• Put other materials in a tub and let children explore the feel and properties of sand, dirt, cornmeal, and (if children are over three), pebbles, rice, beans or feathers.
• Play relaxing and restful music.
• Talk about the weather, have children move like snow or rain, pretend to be blown by the wind, curl up like a hibernating bear.
• Learn some muscle-relaxing techniques and share them with the children: clench and release fists, arms, fingers, jaw, neck; practice deep breathing by pretending to blow up big balloons and then letting them deflate; be rag dolls and stick people.
• Play imaginary games- If I lived where it was hot I would...or if I lived under the water I would...

When you are stuck inside-take a deep breath, try some of these ideas, and remember-"This, too, shall pass."

Reprinted from the Kentucky Coalition for School-Age Child Care Networker

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