When All Else Fails, Get That Energy Out!
And for part 4…when all else fails…when you’re tired, frustrated, tried all the other methods…get that energy out.
My husband tells a story of his parents making him do “bootcamp” when he was 8 or 9. This consisted of sending him out to the backyard to run, jump, sprint to get his energy out. He is still the type that has to work out consistently to help his body feel good.
Same goes for our littles. Sometimes they need to get that energy out too. Especially right now when we’re all spending more time at home.
If you’ve tried redirecting, prompting, moving the breakables, setting up a safe area, it might be time to do a big body activity to help them get that extra energy out.
When this happens to me during sessions, and believe me it does, I try to choose an activity I know my little friend loves. I wouldn’t choose running the bases for a kiddo who doesn’t have any interest in baseball.
I also pick the activity myself, at least initially. I muster all the interest and excitement I have to get them interested and then we start. If I see they’re not into the activity after it starts, then I’ll give no more than 2 choices of alternatives, both ones that I approve of.
I also do the activity with the child to get buy in and bring the excitement. Is it exhausting, yeah. Does it help the child participate, also yes. Once you get them going you may be able to take a break.
I know not everyone has access to a lot of space or equipment so here’s some activities that can be done inside or in small spaces:
animal walks—pick and animal and walk like that
push a heavy box or laundry basket or have a basket race
hold your child’s hands and jump them up and down
race across the room to grab a balloon you’ve let the air out of
crash into a pile of pillows
jump on a small trampoline if you have one
place stickers, pillows, or papers on the floor and jump between them
If you are lucky enough to have access to some outdoor space, here’s some more ideas:
go for a bike ride or walk
take a trip to the park and really run, jump, and climb
race in the backyard
run the bases for pretend baseball
play chase
kick a ball and chase it
chase a pet
climb a tree
jump off a porch into the grass
So if all else fails, this is my last stop. And if you have a kiddo who you know needs a lot of extra exercise, maybe you start here. Maybe you start with some big body movement to get them in the zone where they can then attend. Every child is different and I bet as a caregiver you know where you child falls on this continuum.
Again, acknowledge what they need, connect, and help them be their best selves, because they need your help with that for now. And then pat yourself on the back for setting them up for success.