Thanks to the chilly weather, so many of us haven’t been getting the movement that our bodies need. Staying inside the house for too long can cause many children to become agitated, have decreased concentration during school, and to sleep poorly. Screen time increases while time spent doing activities that facilitate learning decreases.
It is important to make sure your children receive the movement they need. There are many indoor activities that encourage problem-solving, even when it’s cold outside.
Here are some activities you can do at home with your children to stimulate their minds:
- Obstacle Courses. Have your children crawl over cushions, complete animal crawls, and jump from one end of the room to another.
- Simon Says. Incorporate motor movements such as jumping jacks, marching, rolling, and side stepping in a fun game.
- Red Light, Green Light. Have your children run and walk across the hallway of your house at different speeds while having to listen for a color to be called.
- Cook Together. Make a simple meal with your child, (i.e. a sandwich, pancakes, grilled cheese, or a fruit salad). Encourage your children to find the ingredients of these meals in your kitchen and think about the steps involved in making these meals.
- Scavenger Hunt. Hide objects around your house and have your children look for them. This activity encourages your children to problem solve, pay attention to obstacles in the way, and use coping strategies during challenging situations.
For other activities that encourage important skills check out our other blog about learning through play.
