ACTIVITIES                                                          

1.    Keep a simple record of your child's physical development. Record their height and weight yearly on a height chart, or simply on a wall with a ruler. Children love to watch how much they have grown.

2.    Try doing some simple motor activities with your child such as hopping, skipping, jumping or climbing. You could do these skills and movements at home by simply buying them a skipping rope, or taking your child to the park. Local parks often have climbing equipment. Supervise them while they play, swing, hang.

3.    Remember hopscotch?  All that is needed is a piece of chalk and a couple of pebbles. Find an area of asphalt for your child to use. This game builds fun, and strong bones and muscles.

4.    Take your child to a park or reserve that has a steep grass slope or a hill. How many different ways can a child roll? Arms outstretched, arms at sides, one arm stretched with the other to the side, slow rolls, fast rolls.

5.    Passing a ball from parent to child is excellent for eye-hand co-ordination as well as strengthening large muscles. Try to make the activity as exciting as possible by incorporating other equipment such as bats or goals. One example could be shooting a basketball at a basketball ring in the backyard. Ball size is important, when practicing throwing and catching. Large enough for a successful experience, but small enough for a challenging experience.

6.    Try the wheelbarrow. Hold your child's legs while they walk with their hands. This is a great activity to build your child's strength. Would be more suitable for children over 5 years of age.

It is important that these activities are done in the spirit of good fun and recreation. The secret is offering a wide variety of activities. Parents may also discover that soon they too, are in better shape