We all have those memories of the scratchy blue shorts and the gray t shirts – both stamped with the county school system and white oval with our last name sharpies inside. The days of changing in the locker rooms, forgetting to wash the gym uniform all semester and the v-sit and reach test. Ahhh…..brings back memories, doesn’t it?! Our homeschoolers are sadly missing out on major childhood milestones! (*snicker, snicker*) I have listed a few things to help us make homeschool “gym” a little more fun (and easy on the momma!).
Outsource
I am all about outsourcing something if the budget and schedule allow for it. Are you a member of a gym or fitness club? Put a bug in their ear about all the local homeschoolers in need of a simple homeschool PE class. Most likely they will happily offer you a daytime class, gym space, coach or equipment to make it possible for a small fee. Connect with other area homeschoolers to see if someone has any athletic training, coaching or gym teaching in their background and create your own class in a local playground or park.
Insource
There are loads of great resources online to help the homeschooling parent set up a great plan for PE for homeschoolers. You can even find all of the details of the Presidential Physical Fitness Tests (memory flashbacks!) on the web, too. Many of these common gym class activities can be done in your own backyard, with simple toys or equipment. If you’re the “set my own goals and make it happen” type, this is for you!
Co-Op-ing
About 35 minutes from my town, a healthy community of homeschoolers have developed a co-op entirely around gym. They meet at a local campground that happens to have gymnasium, outdoor play equipment and pool facilities. A few moms plan games and activities for the kids. The families that participate have a great time and enjoy their weekly homeschool PE class. This idea could be easily repeated in your own community if can find the right location.
Family Team
Get creative and make team t-shirts for all the members of your family team. Participate in local activities together, such as running in races, hike or bike trails, competing against other families, and learning new athletic skills together. Remember that as parents, you are the role models for the kids and what you prioritize for yourself is observed by the kids. Keep track of fitness goals and chart improvements.
Raising a well-rounded and healthy child requires loads attention in all sorts of areas, and physical fitness is no less important than learning our states and capitols. But, sometimes it’s tough to do it all and find ways to increase our activity levels. Make it a goal to increase your family’s fitness level and brainstorm ways you can make that happen as a team. Now, be thankful you don’t have a mysterious gym uniform that will need washing one day!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.