Funky Fitness to get your Monkeez Movin

 

Todays guest blogger is Liz Clarke from Movin Monkeez. Liz is a Personal Trainer offering post natal buggy fitness and Movin Monkeez classes in Southampton, in addition to the usual Personal Training options. Her aim is to make fitness and exercise accessible and fun to families. Full details are available on her website www.lchealthyliving.co.uk or call 07887914413 for more information. 

 

Liz has loads of hints and tips on keeping your little one active. Here's what she has to say.

"Have you ever watched babies and toddlers move? Quite naturally they have wonderful posture and amazing strength.

 

You only have to watch a young child who’s not quite able to walk, yet can pull themselves up on a sofa or chair… How many of us adults could do perform an equivalent exercise so effortlessly?

Watch a toddler ‘bend’ to pick up toys – see how they perform a perfect lift – bending from the knees and keeping their backs lovely and straight.

 

So at what stage do children stop being fit and active? When do they start to prefer slouching in front of the TV to running, climbing, crawling and skipping? And what can we, as parents, do to prevent inactivity and potential childhood obesity setting in?

 

 

Habits form from a very early age and so it’s vital to encourage children to explore, keep active and develop their physical skills. And, of course, children learn from what they see around them. This places a huge responsibility on parents to lead an active life, but also to find activities which encourage movement and body awareness.

It is with this in mind that Movin Monkeez was created – designed specifically for crawlers to pre schoolers,

Movin Monkeez introduces fitness and dance to pre-school children and compliments the Early Years Foundation Stage offering fitness, co-ordination, structure and above all fun for your little ones. Children will learn the basics of fitness, dance, rhythm and movement in a fun and safe environment.

We focus on using props such as scarves, balls, beanbags, instruments, balancing equipment, parachutes and many more. The children explore different movement exercises to fun and stimulating music along with working in groups and pairs and most importantly are ‘on the go’ for the entire lesson.

The physical stuff is combined with activities aimed at teaching little ones a little bit about healthy lifestyles and food choices.

 

Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing problem and brings so many other, potentially serious, health related problems. For example, insulin dependent diabetes is one of the fastest growing non-communicable diseases in children and brings with it a lifetime of medication and considerable physical problems.

 

But we can change this – we can ensure that our children have a healthy, happy and active future. All we need to do is get them started as early as possible. Make fitness a lifetime habit – something they ‘just do’ rather than a big deal.

 

You don’t have to do classes – just get out and move with your little one. Go to the park, climb, slide, run, throw, set up ‘garden olympics’. Don’t let the impending winter weather stop you – children love to be out and moving and there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!

 

And guess what – the health benefits won’t just affect the children – come on parents, get fit and have fun with your little ones!"

For more information about Movin Monkeez classes and parties near you check out our website at www.movinmonkeez.co.uk

 

Massive thanks to Liz for a brilliant guest blog! I think we might be trying some of these ideas at home! Let us know if you do and how you get on!

 

If you have a little one and or one on the way don't forget about party boxes from Life's A Celebration. Everything you need to party all boxed up and sent to your front door from Baby Showers to 100th Birthday parties. If you want to chat to me directly about your party then just get in touch.

Speak to you soon folks

Maxine