In School and Therapy

● Article: Troy Estefan Magazine, May Issue

● Interview: Total Education Show

● Interview: Little Parent Who Stayed Home

● Article: Easylunchboxes.com - Make Exercise a Family Affair

● Article: pediatricsafety.net

● Recommended by Louisville’s Wave3 MOM-On –The-Go.

● Donations to Chandler ICAN & Phoenix Childhelp.

● Marina (pregnant) discusses the Family Coach Method on Midday show & Sonoran Living.

● Supporter of the US Physical Activity Guidelines encouraging children to exercise 1 hr/day & adults 2.5 hrs/week.

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Tips for Teachers & Therapists

Setting & Safety

r The Exercise Rhymes™ can be performed in a classroom settings, gymnasium or outside.

r Children should be wearing shoes that allow them to jump, hop, skip, etc.

r Ensure there is sufficient space for the students to do the exercises. Split the class into groups as needed to accommodate the space constraints.

r Children must be instructed to listen to their body and stop if they experience pain or discomfort.

r Although no special equipment is needed, balls and other props can be incorporated in PE class.

In the Classroom

r All the exercise descriptions include variations for different fitness levels and challenges that can be done to provide flexibility for different students and teachers.

r One or more Exercise Rhyme can be done in between subjects in any class. Multiple exercises can also be performed consecutively for sustained activity.

r To make the activity more difficulty for each grade, teachers can incorporate the variations, and increase the effort level and repetitions.

Organization

r Large classes can be broken into groups and groups can be rewarded when all members participate.

r The class can incorporate “Simon Says” instructions to lead the class and make it a game.

r Teachers can encourage contests to encourage individuals/teams to do more repetitions.

r Children can be given the opportunity to select, read or lead the Exercise Rhyme(s) for the class. Leadership responsibilities should be shared among students and rotated, and group leaders can be rewarded with special stickers or recognition. Groups can also take turns selecting the next Exercise Rhyme for the class.

r Stations can be incorporated so the class rotates into the next station when the teacher says a certain word. Class leaders can be assigned to class stations for each exercise.

r Children can keep track of their progress on an individual, team or classroom progress chart. Motivate students to have personal challenges (e.g. more repetitions) and then get awards when a student beats their personal best. Active participation by the teachers helps children model the exercises and healthy habits (organizational suggestions contributed by teacher Anthony Pauk in Toronto).

Exercise Rhymes in Physical Education Class

r If the activities are performed in PE class, students can hold balls or other props to increase the difficulty. Also incorporate the variations, increase the effort level and repetitions.

r The Exercise Rhymes™ provide a variety of physical activities that can be mixed and matched during any given exercise session.

r Stability skills while standing, swaying, stretching, jumping, and transferring weight.

r Locomotive skills are supported when children do Exercise Rhymes in different directions and pathways (e.g. forward, backwards, to the right and left, in a zigzag direction).

Young Children

r Young children will quickly learn the rhyming words that end each line, so pause before the rhyming word and let the child say it. The rhymes become a verbal cue for performing the exercise so the kids can do them on their own if the teacher can opt out if necessary.

Special Needs Children

r Some children with special needs can benefit from doing Exercise Rhymes. The combined rhyme and exercise encourage routine, repetition and coordination both verbally and physically. Motor skill and coordination improvements can be transferred to other activities.

r Therapists and teachers should start with just two lines in the rhyme, and later do the other two rhyming lines.

r In a short time, the rhymes become a cue for children to perform the physical exercises.

r Children will learn the rhyming words that end each line. Over time, pause before the rhyming word and let the child say it. The rhymes become a verbal cue for performing the exercise.

r In some cases, therapists might need to assist the child in doing the exercise initially so they can begin creating muscle memory. For example, the therapist can hold the child’s hands to help them stretch, etc.

In School & Therapy

Exercise Rhymes^®are a great educational fitness tool incorporating rhyming and movement to support gross motor skills and phonics for young children , including those with special needs. Exercise Rhymes^® can be incorporated into classroom activities for preschool and primary elementary students, and tied to the curriculum. The exercises can be a regular part of the day to allow children to exert physical energy in short bursts so they can refocus on academic lessons. Exercise Rhymes^® are also a great tool for pediatric physical and occupational therapists, along with learning and reading specialists to use with children who have special needs. The combined rhyme and physical exercise encourage coordination, language and motor skills that can be transferred to other activities. Rhyming is recommended by reading specialists to help provide a good foundation for reading.

Doing Exercise Rhymes^® promotes the concept that exercise is fun and can be easily incorporated into daily life. Parents can be encouraged to do Exercise Rhymes™ at home with their children as fun family time.

Photo: Julie Hughes