Incorporating Stretching with Kids

Incorporating stretching and a cool down into activities and exercises is just as important for kids as it is for adults. An article on ACE Fitness shows how taking the time to cool down and stretch not only helps with recovery, but also gives an opportunity to discuss accomplishments and thoughts on the activity with children.

While stretching may not be the activity of choice for kids, by incorporating different activities, props and using the time to talk about the activity can make stretching a bit more fun. During stretching it’s important to remember to breathe normally and encourage the kids to do the same. As laid out in the ACE article each stretch should be repeated 2-3 times and held for at least 15 seconds.

Health Powered Kids also encourages introducing stretching to kids of all ages. It helps to move joints through a full range of motion, prevents injury, improves athletic performance, encourages a healthful lifestyle, and can help reduce stress.

Backfit Health suggests making stretching a game to help encourage children to participate. Games like Twister can be modified to encourage stretching. They also suggest the ability to incorporate stretching into an art project. Making large murals that require stretching across the page, or adding movement and stretching to performing a task or a stroke of a paintbrush or pen across the page.

VeryWell Family also suggests using painter’s tape to create a stretching game on the floor or picture books that have movement incorporated. These can be fun ways to bring stretching into kids lives.

For teens and athletes, assisted stretching can help bring stretching into the routine. It can also help them to achieve a deep stretch and be assisted by trained stretch therapists.

Sources:

https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/5070/youth-fitness-cool-down-and-stretch/