FITNESS FACTS FOR KIDS!

WRITTEN BY Randi S. Drasin

All children, except those that are formally excused, should participate in a planned physical education program on a daily basis. The children's activities should include instruction and participation in a variety of vigorous physical activities. It is the purpose of Randi's Fitness for Kids to develop and maintain the highest level of physical fitness that is possible. Physical fitness should include the improvement and maintenance of the following:

MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE
The ability of the muscles to exert force through specific activities, which develop specific muscle groups and also the ability to persist in muscle activity without excessive failure.

CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE
This is performed through regular aerobic activity.

FLEXIBILITY
By performing warm-up and conditioning (stretching) exercises daily, the muscles and joints get full range of motion.

Randi's Fitness for Kids PE Program starts with the students running 4-5 laps around the school track or yard. We then form a circle to do our warm up and stretching exercises
(see Exercises 4 Kids page)

Stretching and calisthenics include 25 jumping jacks, twists, sumo squats, arm stretches,side and forward lunge stretches, pushups, v-sit (holding for 10 seconds), partner sit ups, mountain climbers and an abundance of floor stretches such as butterflies, pikes, straddles, seal/cobra, kitty cat etc...

We then go into the sport or activity for the day….soccer, basketball, volleyball, kickball, t-ball, dodge-ball, jump ropes, hoola hoops, hi lo catch, velcro catch, horse shoe, base games, ball games, tennis and badminton, bean bag games etc.

They are also learning basic skills such as, bouncing a ball, passing a ball, catching a ball, kicking a ball and all types of hand-eye coordination which is extremely important for the younger children.

Randi's Fitness for kids PE program was designed by me through a combination of experience in weight training, personal fitness training, kids aerobics training, coaching gymnastics and study using the LAUSD PE guidelines manual k-2nd grade. All the activities that we perform on a weekly basis are designed to contribute significantly to the improvement of coordination, agility and balance in all the children
that participate.

If you or your school is interested in a private PE coach or personal fitness training for children, please contact me.