Fun Interactive Ways to Teach Kids About the Pulmonary System

Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Lung Health

The pulmonary system lends itself to so many fun and interactive learning opportunities! Giving kids the chance to actively learn while having fun can be an effective way to encourage lifelong learning. Make it memorable and perhaps they will remember it years down the road!

I provide special fitness education for second graders at a local elementary school and see groups in 30 minute segments. This pulmonary program typically takes about 15 minutes, but it could easily stretch to 30 minutes if you have more time. I like to take the second half of my 30-minute programs to give the kids the opportunity to actively exercise while reinforcing the focus on the pulmonary system.

Supplies:

• Wild and crazy wig
• Three balls
• Paint roller cover
• Bag of balloons
• Umbrella
• Bunch of grapes (real or plastic)
• Construction paper (6 sheets, each a different color)
• Marker(s)
• Mats

Before the program:
Cut out the construction paper into fun shapes. I chose large hearts because I was teaching this class on Valentine's day and hearts are quick and easy to cut. Write one word on each piece of paper. Here are the ones I chose below:

Green	Cilia
Yellow	Trachea
Lavender	Bronchi
Orange	Lungs
Blue	Diaphragm
Red	Alveoli

Next, cut each colored shape into two pieces, sort of like a puzzle, making sure that some of the letters of the word are on each piece. Place one of each color on the floor or some other place where the kids can easily see them. I taught in a gym and placed the pieces on the far side, which worked nicely for this program. Keep the other halfs on hand.

After the kids are seated on the mats:
Ask for volunteers. You might choose six, twelve, fifteen, or more volunteers, depending on the size of the group. If you have twelve or more volunteers, create teams. I paired my volunteers so that two students were on the "green" team, two students were on the "yellow" team, etc. as I handed each team their half of the paper. Once each team had their piece, I had the children on those teams who were not holding the piece of paper to race across the gym, find the matching color, and bring it back to their partner.

Have the pairs to assemble the pieces so that they can read the word. Many kids will find most of these words to be unfamiliar, so it is helpful to let them know how to pronounce the word!

Below are some fun ways to teach about each term:

Photo by fictures from USA at Wikimedia Commons

Cilia:

• Let the team with this word intruduce the word cilia.
• Put on the wig and ask the kids if they have hair.
• Ask if they know that they have hair in their nose and in their breathing tubes (you'll probably have everyone's attention by this point).
• Have one to three additional volunteers stand a short distance away from you.
• Explain that cilia catch dirt and mucous to keep the lungs cleaner.
• Throw the balls one at a time while the child(ren) attempt to catch the balls.
• Have everyone repeat the word cilia and then have that team to sit down.

Trachea:

• Let the team with this word intruduce the word trachea.
• Hold up the paint roller cover. (You could substitute a paper towel roll if you don't have a paint roller cover.)
• Tell the kids that the windpipe is also called the trachea, describing it as a hollow tube.
• I mention that the fuzzy part would really be on the inside rather than the outside like the prop.
• Ask everyone to lift their chins and feel for the location of their own trachea in their neck while you demonstrate.
• Have everyone repeat the word trachea and then have that team to sit down.

Trachea and Bronchi of the Pulmonary System - Photo by Public Domain at Wikimedia Commons

Bronchi:

• Let the team with this word introduce the word bronchi.
• Explain that the trachea splits into two branches sort of like a tree.
• You might also mention that one would be bronchus while two would be bronchi.
• Then have everyone hold up a hand and "karate chop" down like they are splitting a board.
• Practice the chopping a couple of times to build excitement.
• Have everyone repeat the word bronchi and then have that team to sit down.

Lungs:

• Let the team with this word introduce the word lungs.
• See if they know how many lungs they have.
• Ask if they know that one lung is larger than the other.
• Explain that the left lung is typically smaller to leave room for the heart.
• Ask a volunteer to select a balloon out of the bag and hand it to you.
• Begin to blow up the balloon while asking if they know what happens to the lungs when you take a deep breath. (You might also throw in the word "inhale" here.)
• After the balloon is completely filled, begin to slowly let the air out and ask if they know what happens to the lungs when they breath out. (You might also throw in the word "exhale" here.)
• Stop letting the air out when the balloon is about 20% full.
• Mention that we only use about 1/5 or 20% of our lungs when we are breathing normally.
• Ask if they can think of ways that we might use more of our lungs (exercise, yawning, deep breathing) and what to avoid to keep our lungs healthy (avoid smoking, smog, etc.)
• Have everyone repeat the word lungs and then have that team to sit down.

Diaphragm:

• Let the team with this word introduce the word diaphragm.
• Begin to open and close the umbrella. (If you don't have an umbrella, you might simply ask the kids if they can think of something you might carry to keep you dry in the rain.)
• Mention that the diaphragm is a muscle that looks a lot like an umbrella.
• Close the umbrella and place it aside and then use one hand on top to represent the lungs getting bigger and smaller as you open and close your hand.
• Use the bottom hand with the palm down to flatten and then point the fingers down like an umbrella as it represents the diaphragm.
• Have the kids practice making an umbrella hand shape for themselves.
• Have everyone repeat the word diaphragm and then have that team to sit down.

Alveoli Look Like Grapes - Photo by Rita Willaert at Wikimedia Commons

Alveoli:

• Let the team with this word introduce the word alveoli.
• Show the bunch of grapes.
• Ask "Do you know that you have about 6 million alveoli in your body?"
• Explain how alveoli look like tiny grapes at the bottom of the lungs.
• Tell how alveoli help oxygen to move from the lungs into the blood so the body can use it.
• You might also mention that oxygen "hitches" a ride onto the red blood cells and have the kids put thumbs out while mentioning that it would not be safe to really "hitch" a ride in real life.
• Have everyone repeat the word alveoli and then have that team to sit down.

Deep Breathing Exercise:

• Have everyone to lie down on their backs and place both hands on their abdomens.
• Encourage the kids to focus on how their hands move as they take deep breaths.
• Up Goes the Castle is a short, fun breathing song that is kid-friendly.

Having the kids to do a cardio or mind/body exercise component after the educational component is a great time to encourage the children to focus on their own breathing. You might even do moves like pretending to throw and catch a ball while reminding the kids about cilia, etc. or have them to count their own respiratory rate before and after exercising.

I hope you find this inexpensive, interactive educational resource to be helpful to you. The kids I taught seemed to really enjoy it and particularly liked having the opportunity to help teach!

Find more resources, including fun music playlists, fitness articles, and additional educational ideas at Fit Tips 4 Life.

A Healthier Lifestyle One Day at a Time: A Positive Attitude

Moving toward a healthier lifestyle involves daily choices, efforts, and actions. A holistic plan for a helathy lifestyle involves not only a healthy diet and regular exercise, but it also includes a mental component. The body and mind are intricately connected, and maintaining a positive attitude can be key in developing and living a healthier life.

Inner conversations can easily become negative, viral, and even nuclear as negative patterns tend to repeat themselves and spiral out of control. That slight backslide in one's personal plan to become healthier can easily snowball into an about face down the wrong path at full steam ahead.

In addition, one's inner thoughts can easily look at other people and one's circumstances with a negative light while placing blame for one's own misery on these external forces, effectively paralyzing one's ability to move forward.

Here are some specific, practical tips for achieving a positive attitude, including how to:

1. Recognize who is in charge of your attitude
2. Identify your strengths
3. Write and reflect on your strengths
4. Learn from others
5. How to get back on track if problems occur

Recognize Who is in Charge of Your Attitude

The only person responsible for my attitude is me.

The sooner one comes to that realization, the sooner one can move past wasting time criticizing oneself or others and begin to make positive steps toward one's goals. Pick up the pieces and work the puzzle – it may not have the shape of the original piece of art, but the finished product is likely to have more character and wisdom than the previous one.

Learn positive and specific strategies for interpersonal relationships. Recognize unhealthy tendencies, such as being too dependent on others or refusing help from other people, and begin to use positive communication skills when speaking with friends, family members, co-workers, and with others online.

Identify Your Strengths

Everyone has strengths. Some are obvious. Others may be subtle.

The first step in developing a positive attitude is to identify one's strengths. Create a list of positive adjectives that describe you, such as:

• Creative
• Funny
• Thoughtful
• Honest
• Punctual
• Hard-working
• Detail-oriented
• Strong
• Caring
• Persistent

Update this list as needed.

If you are having trouble identifying any good qualities in yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to identify some of your strengths and use those for the following exercises. You may or may not agree with what that other person thinks, but perhaps that person may be able to identify your strengths better than you can at the moment.
Write and Reflect on Your Strengths

Write a positive statement yourself on small notecard or piece of paper. For example:

• I am an amazing, funny, fun-loving woman.
• I am a strong, dedicated, hard-working man.

Blank Printable Personal Affirmation Cards

Feel free to print the blank affirmation cards here in this article while personalizing them to suit your needs. You might want to add colors, pictures, fun fonts, or anything else that may catch your eye that will help make this affirmation attractive and personal for you.

Take another piece of paper and fold it in half, ensuring that it is now slightly larger than the above piece of paper. Staple the affirmation to the folded piece of paper on the right and left sides, leaving the open end at the top.

Each time you do something that agrees with your positive statement, write it down on a small piece of paper and place it in the pocket. After a week, take out these examples and read them, reflecting on these actions that support your postive traits.

Learn From Others

Many resources are available that are full of positive and uplifting information. A song's lyrics may make you stand a little taller. An inspirational quote might give tough times in your life a more realistic perspective.

Make a list of what inspires you, such as:

• Songs
• Books
• Articles
• Quotes

Search for additional uplifting ideas and items to add to the list through a variety of sources such as:

• Tips from one's own personal heroes
• Online resources
• Print resources
• Radio
• Yoga or other mind/body classes
• Support group

Make a commitment to read, listen to, reflect on, and study the above items each day at a designated time or times. For example:

• If you wake up ten minutes earlier to do this, you may find that you may be able to meet the day's trials with a more positive attitude.
• If you decide to reflect on these items fifteen minutes before going to bed, you may find that you may rest with a more positive attitude.
• If you commit to spending five minutes on your lunch break doing this, you may find that you are more productive and peaceful at work.

How to Get Back on Track if Problems Occur

If you find old, negative thinking creeping back into your lifestyle, assess what happened and determine any trends, such as:

• Time of day
• Place
• Interactions with a certain person or people

If you can identify a pattern, be aware of that so that you can make appropriate plans and determine which options are available, such as avoiding that situation in the future or being extra cautious if these are situations that are necessary in your life and cannot be avoided.

Some people may need the assistance of a healthcare provider, counselor, medication, and/or therapy in order to move toward positive lifestyle habits, including adopting a positive attitude. Anyone who feels that he or she could cause harm to him or herself or others should seek care and follow the advice of her or her healthcare provider.

Having inner peace can be a beautiful, life-transforming day-to-day choice that can leave you feeling more energized, happier, and may lead to a healthier and more productive lifestyle.

Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Healthy Eating: Fruit Facts

Creative Ways to Teach Children About Healthy Diet - Photo by Dungodung at Wikimedia Commons

Healthy eating is a habit that anyone can learn. Children naturally tend to adopt dietary customs of the home, but other people may have an influence on their choices. Teaching kids about healthy eating in a fun and active way may increase their knowledge and encourage healthy choices at mealtime.

One way to get children more engaged is to involve them in the learning process. This activity takes a minimum amount of supplies and preparation time, but I have found that children have enjoyed learning about fruits in the manner. Perhaps learning more about eating fruits may encourage them to make healthy eating choices.

You can cover the material in 15 to 20 minutes, but you might also wish to combine additional learning activities, such as graphing the kids' favorite fruits. I like using Create a Graph – this is a great way to show how math can be fun and how to apply graphing in real life. You might also develop a word search or crossword using the different names of fruits. If you have the budget and time, you serve a variety of fruits at the end of the program. Check about food allergies before serving any foods.

Supplies you will need:

1. 6 pieces of construction paper
2. scissors
3. copy(ies) of the FRUITS chart (use this as a handout or instructor notes)

Before teaching time, cut out the letters FRUITS using the construction paper. I did this freehand style using the entire pieces of paper as my edges (see above photo), but feel free to use large die-cuts if you prefer.

After assembling the kids, start with a cheer. "Give me an F!" (The kids will eventually respond "F."). "Give me an R!" (More kids will reply with "R.") They will quickly catch on! After the "S," ask "What did we spell?" OK...sneaky way to add a little language arts into the day too!

Now that the kids know they will be learning about fruits, give them the latest recommendations for number of servings currently recommended by the CDC for their age group. I like to use Choose My Plate, and I also used that site as a resource in making the FRUITS chart.

Ask the kids if they can think of an example of a fruit. This is a great opportunity to hear what they already know and to offer information if they mention foods from other groups. You might wish to offer other examples of fruits that may be a little less familiar and see if anyone has heard of that fruit. Sometimes children might mention vegetables here, and you can quickly put a positive spin on that by mentioning that it is a good idea people to eat both fruits and vegetables to stay healthy.

Next, choose six volunteers. This is a way to immediately have everyone's attention again and to encourage the children to be sitting quietly! Have the volunteers to stand in a line in front of the group and give each a letter, spelling the word FRUITS. You might want to have them spread out so that you can stand between them as you talk.

I like to have each child hold up his or her letter and have the class name the letter first and then listen to information about that letter, using the FRUITS chart (see below). Review each letter before moving to the next by having the kids to say the red phrase for each letter. You can make this fun by changing the sound or speed or saying the phrase like a cheer.

Quick and Easy Fruit Facts © Katrena

After talking about each letter, I like to finish by doing the cheer again, encouraging each child to hold up his or her letter as I call each one and finally having all of them raise their letters when asking, "What did we spell?" Learning about fruits can actually be exciting, engaging, and fun!

Find additional tips for teaching kids about healthy habits, ideas for combining music with exercise, and more at Fit Tips 4 Life.

Glow Sticks Workout in the Dark for Kids

Glow in the Dark Exercise Fun for Kids - Photo by Eirik Solheim at Wikimedia Commons

How can you make exercise fun, exciting, and cool for kids? Give each child two glow sticks, turn out the lights, and have a blast! This glow sticks workout can put a huge amount of excitement into an exercise routine for children. My kids gave this one 5 1/2 stars!

Supplies for Glow in the Dark Exercise

• Small glow sticks (I found some packs of bracelet-sized glow sticks at Dollar Tree at 15 for $1.00, so this one doesn't have to break the bank!)
• Artificial light source (if needed)
• Music (if desired)

This workout can be done inside or outside, depending on the time of class and season of the year. Ensure that any safety hazards are removed or blocked from the area. You might want to remind kids to hold their glow sticks securely and to avoid throwing them or placing them into their nose, ears, or any other place that might seem tempting to a kid.

It is a good idea to add some artificial lighting, depending on how dark the area is. A string of white Christmas tree lights or a couple of lamps work well to provide just a bit of light without detracting from the overall mood. It helps to have a fully lit area nearby, such as a hallway, closet, or porch, just in case any kids are scared of the dark.

My kids sometimes get frightened in the dark, but they didn't show a hint of being scared with this workout. They were having way too much fun! We did this in a workout room that had mirrors on two sides with Christmas lights strung around the edges. Very cool effect!

I first tried this glow-in-the-dark workout around Halloween. The days are getting shorter around my neck of the woods and I wanted to throw a fun twist on some exercises we had done in the past. You could easily turn this into a completely Halloween-themed workout with all Halloween-type songs. I picked a mix of songs for this one.

This workout can be as simple as letting the kids freestyle dance, play hide-and-go-seek or tag in the dark, or you might want to try these songs with exercise ideas below. The following playlist takes about 30 minutes, but you can easily play favorite ones twice or add a few picks of your own to stretch it into a 45-minute or 1-hour workout.

Fun Exercise Ideas for Children - Photo by Brocken Inaglory at Wikimedia Commons

Under the Sea

This one is a great warmup song. You can make waves with the glow sticks, mixing it up by going to each side and to the front. Swimming strokes look cool with the glow sticks too. We tried: crawl, breast stroke, back stroke, side stroke, underwater (starting at the center low and reaching as high as possible and taking the arms wide on the way down). You can also have the kids try some fun activities like pretending to be a shark, octopus, crab, or other sea creature.

Silly Songs for Kid's Workout - Photo by Socceronly at Wikimedia Commons

Witch Doctor

The Chipmunks have a newer version of Witch Doctor that the kids absolutely love. It's got a great beat! This song is fun for big moves like: reach up high/reach down low, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, and jumping rope (twirling the glow sticks as your rope). You might try adding silly twists like having them to do those activities like a chipmunk or to dance like a chipmunk. Have the kids give their coolest Chipmunk pose at the end!

Fun Drumming Exercises - Photo by vinca bravo at Wikimedia Commons

Wipeout

Turn the glow sticks into drumsticks! Drum some bongos down low. Go side to side. Drum up high. Twist to each side. Hit a top hat on the top corner and then drum down to the middle, alternating sides. Turn the elbows out to the side and watch the drumsticks look like bright-colored fans! This one is especially nice if you don't have much space because you can stand in one place for the whole song.

Silly Workouts for Kids - Photo by chad davis at Wikimedia Commons

Ghostbusters

Have the kids hold the sticks in the middle and start kickboxing! Add some jabs, hooks, upper cuts, roll with the punches, and then take the elbows out to the side. You might try punching imaginary blocks or bricks. Vary the upper body moves by changing the speed and/or direction of the punches. Lift the knees or kick while pulling the arms down when the legs come up. If you have lots of room, have everyone start at the back, turn sideways, and punch up to the front and then have everyone punch to the back using the other arm to lead.

Halloween Workout Songs - Photo by XFONG at Wikimedia Commons

Thriller

This one is awesome for playing follow the leader. Have the kids line up behind you and begin walking around the room. Starting moving the arms in different ways. The kids catch on really quick! Instead of walking in a straight line or circle, mix it up by snaking through the area, adding twists and turns after everyone is following in the line. If you have older kids, you might try jogging, galloping, or skipping. Near the end of the song, slow down and get sneaky!

Great Fitness Songs for Children - Photo by Geoff Pick at Wikimedia Commons

Rockin Robin

This one can really get everyone hopping! Take the heels front, heels side, toes front, and toes side. You might have the kids add huge moves with the arms like big arm circles in various directions. You can also add jumping jacks, jump rope, and a freestyle dance here. If you have extra time, add a freeze dance portion where everyone freezes when you hit the pause button. I always let everyone start dancing again when I'm doing an exercise class – to me, it is all about fitness and not competition. You can also do some fun things like flapping the arms like a bird and hopping around in circles.

Fun Workout Ideas - Photo by Chris Gin at Wikimedia Commons

Voice of Truth

Have the kids make waves with the glow sticks. Swing the arms side to side. Turn around in a circle with the arms low. Try the circle again with the arms high. Keep the arms together or spread them wide as you turn. This is a fun opportunity for the kids to use their imagination and act out the song or add other moves like lining up and waving the arms in various ways in a rhythm. Pair up the kids and have them be mirror images. You might also add some balance positions or standing yoga stretches while this song plays.

Inspire Kids to Live Healthy Lifestyle - Photo by Ryan McFarland at Wikimedia Commons

Wind Beneath My Wings

Have the kids get in a large circle and sit down for deeper stretches on the floor. Straighten the legs to the front and reach. Take the legs in a V shape and reach to the center and each side. Place the soles of the feet together and hinge forward. Cross the legs and twist the upper body. Take both glow sticks in on hand and reach up and then behind the back while reaching the other hand under and behind the back. See if the kids can transfer the sticks from one hand to the other – watch as they master this one! You might also try stretches while on the hands and knees like cat/cow or breathing exercises like the lion breath.

This glow sticks workout in the dark was a huge hit with the kids. With just a few preparations and a couple of inexpensive props, you can transform hum-drum exercises into an awesome workout that just might have the kids begging to do it again and again! Any of these exercises can be modified for special needs.

Readers may also wish to read Tips for Getting Fit Together as a Family and Playground Provide Fun Fitness Opportunity for Kids and Who? on this blog. Find Katrena's exercise playlists, fitness ideas, and more at Fit Tips 4 Life.

How to Avoid Pumpkin Carving Hand Injuries

Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips - Photo by Stephen Mihalcik at Wikimedia Commons

October bring with it cooler weather, a glorious splash of colorful leaves, and pumpkins. Many people like to carve pumpkins, turning them into works of glowing art that are proudly displayed on a table, doorstep, or other prominent place.

Few people would like to view their pumpkin from the window of an ambulance, but unfortunately, serious hand injuries can result when carving a pumpkin. Many folks pull out the kitchen knives and begin hacking away...only to realize that they have left a gash in an unsuspecting hand or finger.

How to Safely Carve a Pumpkin - Photo by TheKohser at Wikimedia Commons

Leave the carving to the adults

Children can easily become injured while using a sharp object such as a knife, so leave the cutting to the older folks. Just because the kids are not cutting does not mean that they need to feel left out! Involve them in the project in a variety of ways:

• Let them pick a template or theme for the design.
• Have them draw the design by tracing or using a freehand style either on the pumpkin or on a piece of paper.
• Kids can scoop the goop on the inside of the pumpkin with a large spoon – you can also add a variety of fun, tasty, and/or educational activities with the pumpkin seeds.
• Encourage the kids to add color with markers, crayons, glitter and glue, or paint.
• Let them pick a glow stick for a freaky, colorful glow.

Keep Kids Safe at Halloween - Photo by Anders Legeras at Wikimedia Commons

Use utensils designed for carving pumpkins

Pumpkins are often large and thick, but grabbing a butcher knife or very long serrated knife may not produced the desired results. Many times these longer and wider utensils get stuck in the pumpkin and a person could easily suffer a laceration while trying to forcibly remove the knife.

Fortunately, many inexpensive pumpkin carving kits are now available that contain small saws. These may enable the carver to cut areas much easier and with more precision with less chance for serious injury.

Jack-o'-Lantern Safety Tips - Photo by Immanuel Giel at Wikimedia Commons

Pick a safe atmosphere and cutting movements

Choose an area that is clean and well-lit and place the pumpkin on a stable surface. Thoroughly wash and dry equipment and hands so that items are less likely to slip while carving. You may wish to cut the top out last so that you will be less likely to place your hand inside the pumpkin while carving. Small, controlled movements tend to be safer. Cut in a direction that is away from oneself.

Keep sharp objects out of reach of inquisitive fingers as well!

Family Activities for October - Decorate a Pumpkin - Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Family Activity: Decorate a pumpkin in October

Pumpkin decorating can be a fun family activity full of exciting memories. You might wish to cut out the sharp objects altogether and simply create a fun design on the outside of the pumpkin. Keeping it safe is always a great idea for any time of year.

Find more of Katrena's articles at Fit Tips 4 Life.

Sources accessed on October 15, 2012:

• American Academy of Pediatrics 10/12 article Halloween Safety Tips
• American Society for Surgery of the Hand October 21, 2008 article Hand Surgeons Urge Patients to Review Hand Safety Tips Before Carving Pumpkins This Halloween
• Consumer Reports October 13, 2011 article Safe Halloween pumpkin carving
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission October 24, 2011 article Halloween Carving: Do You Make the Cut?

Benefits of a Healthy Diet and Exercise – Teach Kids Good Habits

How to Teach Kids Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle

Teaching children about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle can create a foundation on which they can rely throughout their lives. Many of us know first-hand how difficult it can be to break unhealthy lifestyle habits, but even modest changes may reap great benefits in one's health. Starting good habits early may help kids to enjoy better health throughout their lives.


I have a wonderful opportunity to teach second graders about diet and exercise through a grant program, and I have been impressed with how receptive the kids are about the program. They often become quite engaged when I not only mention about how they can become healthy but also how they can encourage family members.

Reinforcing information they already know can be a great place to start, and I like to challenge them so that they might learn new words or ideas. When speaking about the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise, I like to present information that will get them thinking and moving for a few minutes before we start exercising.

I made five small posters, each with one word on it and show one poster at a time, asking the children whether they think a healthy lifestyle will make the item go up or down. I have the kids to sit down if they think it will decrease or to stand up if they think it will increase and then give feedback about each one.

Below are the words and some feedback for each:

How does a healthy lifestyle change your energy level?

What does a healthy lifestyle do to your energy level?

Many of the kids that I teach already recognize that regular exercise and a healthy diet may help to increase your energy level! I like to mention that sometimes people may feel tired after doing a really tough workout but that once a person develops those healthy habits on a regular basis, they may enjoy a higher energy level overall. I also mention that a healthy lifestyle may help to improve one's mood as well.

How does a healthy lifestyle change your blood sugar?

What does a healthy lifestyle do to your glucose level?

When I ask the kids this one, many of them sort of hover or simply sit down because they aren't really sure what glucose is. This can be a great teaching moment! Many children and adults have diabetes, and when I ask if any of them know of someone who has diabetes, lots of them raise their hands and often understand the phrase "blood sugar" rather than a medical term like glucose. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help blood sugar levels decrease, and I also like to mention that those with diabetes may find they don't have to take as much insulin if they adopt those healthy lifestyle changes because their blood sugar levels may go down.

How does a healthy diet and exercise change your strength?

What does a healthy lifestyle do to your strength?

It is great to watch the kids jump up when I show this poster! Nearly every second grader that I teach recognizes that a healthy diet and regular exercise can increase one's strength. I like to have a little fun with this one and have the kids show me their muscles and have them pose in all sorts of ways to show their already massive strength! This is a good place to also mention that bones can become stronger as a result of healthy lifestyle choices.

Can a healthy diet and regular exercise change your weight?

What does a healthy lifestyle do to your weight?

I'll admit this one is a little tricky because a healthy lifestyle may help one to achieve a healthier weight. Technically, one's weight may decrease or increase, depending on one's health. Many of the children have seen television shows in which people lose large amounts of weight. I like to mention that proper diet and exercise can help people to achieve a healthy weight and that their doctors can help them to determine healthy goals for weight management.

What does diet and exercise do to cholesterol?

What does a healthy lifestyle do to your cholesterol level?

I like to mention that this is a really tough question before I show the word. This may be another instance where the kids guess, and I love to tell them that everyone is correct on this one while explaining that we have two main types of cholesterol: good and bad. A healthy diet may help decrease the bad cholesterol while regular exercise may help increase the good cholesterol. I also like to ask the kids how much exercise they should get each day (1 hour) before we begin the exercise component of the program!

Find more of Katrena's fitness ideas and articles at Fit Tips 4 Life.

Great Playlist for Kids Exercise – Fun Dancing Songs #2

Finding fun music with a great beat can make exercising with the kids fresh, interesting, and engaging. Here's another list of songs that work nicely when working out with my kids. The tempo varies between songs, and I have also included some ideas for exercises you might do with the songs.

Who Let the Dogs Out - Fun Dance Song for Kids, Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Who Let the Dogs Out

I think almost every child that I know has heard this song. Just start playing it and the beat tends to immediately capture everyone's attention. Children tend to love the barks and the beat. If you want to get things started out on the right foot, you about can't go wrong with this song! Who Let the Dogs Out lends itself very well to kickboxing moves, jumping jacks, and lots more. When the chorus begins, I like to have the kids walk to the right and then push their hands up in the air and jump up and down while turning around with the barking and repeat in the other direction. You can have lots of fun with this one!

The Bare Necessities

The Bare Necessities is a nice one to play after the faster paced Who Let the Dogs Out. Add a few squats and monkey arms, and the kids can quickly get into character. This is also a fun one to pretend to be marching in a parade while playing various musical instruments like a clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and tuba. It has a great tempo for throwing in a Charleston for those who like to dance. I like to break down the Charleston by starting with a tap and then adding a knee and finally throwing in a kick. If you add the Charleston, make sure you leave enough time on the song to add the other side!

African Dancing With the Kids - Photo by Qniemiec at Wikimedia Commons

African Beats (African Dream)

African Beats is an instrumental song that can give the kids an opportunity to add a bit of imagination into the workout. Lots of kids enjoy trying simple African dance moves with this one. You can also pretend to play drums. Add variety by "playing" different sized drums, turning side to side, reaching high and low, etc. You can also step sideways to the right for four steps and then back to the left with this one. Kids who want a challenge can squat as they move to the right and left or you might change the steps to a shuffle to the right and left if they still have loads of energy.

Chorus Tau Zorba

Dance seems to transcend all languages. That seemed to ring true for me when I visited my sister when she lived in Greece. I could not speak Greek, but I loved dancing to Greek songs near the Aegean Sea. OK, so you're thinking that perhaps you don't know how to do Greek dancing. It's quite alright! If you've ever done a grapevine in group exercise class, you have the basic tools. Do two grapevines to the right, add arms out to the side and turn the palms up and down while you move. When you get to the end, kick the inside leg inward and yell "hey!" You can also try a triple step and add a bounce to it for fun. This song gets faster and faster, so be ready to really move quickly near the end.

Encourage Kids to be Active With Fun Songs - Photo by SonNy cZ at Wikimedia Commons

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

After Zorba, most kids will probably need to slow down the pace a bit, and The Lion Sleeps Tonight is a great song to follow a super fast one. Step Touch and add a few finger snaps. Move up and back or side to side with that same basic move. You can also slow down and alternate lunges to the back to strengthen the legs. This is also a good one for doing toe taps or lifting the knees. If you are doing simple moves like this, you can try having the kids face one direction for a certain number of counts and then turn and face another direction for the same number of counts for variety.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

This is another older song, but it is full of energy! Because this one has such a fast beat, I like to keep the moves super simple. You can march in place and add arms like they are jumping rope. If the kids want more, add progressive levels, like lifting both heels at the same time while keeping the balls of the feet on the floor, jumping like the rope is going under the feet, jumping while alternating heels to the front or toes to the back, or even lifting the knees like they are doing double Dutch. If everyone looks a bit winded, have the kids pretend to turn two ropes like someone is jumping the ropes in front of them. I love to encourage the kids to put their own flavor into pretending to jump rope and enjoy watching them do all sorts of fancy moves with their arms and legs!

Have Fun and Get Fit With Children - Photo by Drew Jackson at Wikimedia Commons

The Locomotion

The Locomotion has a slower beat that works well after everyone is about ready to fall over from "jumping rope" during the previous song. Add some arm moves like train wheels with a squat, and the kids can quickly pick up on this one. It can also be fun to add a train whistle here and there. Add interest with a little hand jive. If I have several kids working out together, they love to line up behind me and play follow the leader. Simply walk around the room and add all sorts of simple moves for the arms and legs without saying a word. It keeps everyone's interest up as they must watch to see what you will do next!

Wipe Out

I have never tried surfing in the ocean, but it sure can be fun to pretend to surf while exercising to Wipe Out! Stand on your "board," raise your arms, and start swaying to the music. Switch lead leg every so many beats. You can also take a swim on land while moving your arms in various swimming strokes. If the kids particularly liked the drumming earlier, you can have them "play" the bongos with this song as well. Near the end of the song, you might try having the kids march in place and keep getting faster and faster until they "Wipe Out" at the end.

Freedom Dance (Smoke That Thunders)

Freedom Dance can set the stage for cooling down, slowing down, and breathing deeply. I love this one for moving into yoga balance poses once everyone looks like they have returned to a lower heart rate. Try standing on one foot while lifting the other knee to the front or even straightening that leg to the front. You can also lift the leg to the side or back while balancing on the other foot. The tree pose tends to be pretty popular with the kids, and you can add fun sounds and encourage the kids to use their imagination while moving their arms and legs through various ranges of movement. This song has an owl calling near the end, so you can add a little bit of information about helping to protect our raptor friends!

Creative Ways to Teach Kids About Culture and Dance - Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Crow Wing

Crow Wing showcases some Native American music. I like to add lots of different types of music from various cultures. Many kids have never heard these types of music and they often enjoy the fun variety. This is a great song for sinking to the floor and/or adding some stretches. Once stretched, focus on some deep breathing exercises. Progressive relaxation is also a nice touch at the end where the kids lie down, close their eyes, and then you mention various muscles to relax, starting at the head and moving all the way down to the toes. Many kids and adults find relaxation to be one of the most challenging activities.

I hope you enjoy this list of songs that my kids and I have found to be fun and engaging. I have found that I can get a great workout while dancing and having fun with my kids and hope that you have found some great ideas here. Make sure to check with your healthcare professional before starting or changing any exercise routine.

Readers may also wish to see my first music list for exercising with kids. For more playlists, exercise tips and articles at the Fit Tips 4 Life site map.