Part 6: Beyond the Dojang: Bringing Movement Play into Everyday Life
Martial arts training is a powerful tool for promoting
physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development in children. However, the
benefits of movement play extend far beyond the walls of the Dojang. By
integrating more active play and movement into your child's daily life, you can
support their overall health, well-being, and success in all areas of life.
In this final part of the series, we'll explore some
practical ways to encourage more movement play in your child's routine, both at
home and in the community. We'll also discuss the importance of limiting screen
time and making movement a joyful, integral part of your family culture.
Encouraging Active Play
One of the best ways to promote movement play in your
child's life is to create opportunities for active, unstructured play. This
means setting aside time and space for your child to explore, create, and move
their body in open-ended ways, without the constraints of structured lessons or
activities.
Some ideas for encouraging active play at home include:
Create a movement-friendly environment: Set up a
designated play space in your home with plenty of room for movement and
exploration. This could be a cleared-out corner of the living room, a finished
basement, or even a small home gym. Stock the space with age-appropriate toys
and equipment that encourage active play, like balls, hula hoops, jump ropes,
and tumbling mats.
Make time for outdoor play: Whenever possible,
prioritize outdoor play time for your child. The fresh air, natural light, and
open space of the outdoors are ideal for promoting movement and exploration.
Take your child to a nearby park, nature trail, or even just your own backyard
for unstructured play time each day.
Play together as a family: One of the best ways to
encourage active play is to model it yourself. Make movement play a regular
part of your family routine, whether it's a game of tag in the backyard, a
family dance party in the living room, or a weekend hike in the woods. By
playing together, you not only promote physical activity, but also strengthen
family bonds and create lasting memories.
Incorporate movement into daily tasks: Look for ways to
add more movement into your child's daily routine, even in small ways. For
example, have them help with active chores like sweeping, vacuuming, or
gardening. Encourage them to take movement breaks during homework or screen
time, like doing jumping jacks or stretching. By integrating movement into
daily life, you help make it a natural, enjoyable habit.
In addition to active play at home, look for opportunities
to encourage movement in your community. This could include:
Enrolling in recreational sports or classes: Many
communities offer a wide range of youth sports and activities, from soccer and
basketball to dance and gymnastics. Consider enrolling your child in a program
that aligns with their interests and abilities, and that emphasizes fun, skill
development, and teamwork over competition.
Visiting local parks and playgrounds: Take advantage of
the many free or low-cost movement opportunities in your community, like public
parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. These spaces often have
age-appropriate equipment and activities that encourage active play and
exploration.
Participating in community events: Keep an eye out for
local events and festivals that promote physical activity and play, like fun
runs, obstacle courses, or family fitness days. These events can be a great way
to try new activities, meet other active families, and celebrate the joy of
movement together.
Limiting Screen Time
Of course, one of the biggest barriers to movement play in
modern life is the prevalence of screens and sedentary media. From televisions
and computers to smartphones and tablets, children today are spending more time
than ever in front of screens, often at the expense of active play and
exploration.
As a parent, it's important to set clear boundaries and
guidelines around screen time to ensure that it doesn't dominate your child's
leisure time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following
screen time limits for children:
Under 18 months: No screen time, except for
video-chatting with family and friends.
18 months to 2 years: High-quality programming only,
watched together with a caregiver.
2 to 5 years: No more than 1 hour per day of
high-quality programs, watched together with a caregiver.
6 years and older: Consistent limits on screen time,
with a focus on prioritizing sleep, physical activity, and other healthy
behaviors.
Of course, these are just general guidelines, and every
family's needs and circumstances are different. The key is to be intentional
and mindful about your child's screen time, and to prioritize active, engaged
play and exploration whenever possible.
Some strategies for limiting screen time and encouraging
active play instead include:
Set clear rules and boundaries: Establish specific
times and places where screens are allowed, and stick to them consistently. For
example, no screens during meals, in bedrooms, or for one hour before bedtime.
Provide alternative activities: Offer your child plenty
of engaging, non-screen activities to choose from, like books, puzzles, art
supplies, and outdoor play equipment. The more appealing alternatives they
have, the less likely they are to default to screens.
Make it a family effort: Model healthy screen habits
yourself, and involve the whole family in setting and following screen time
rules. Consider having regular "screen-free" days or hours where
everyone unplugs and engages in active, face-to-face activities together.
Use screens mindfully: When your child does have screen
time, make it as engaging and educational as possible. Choose high-quality,
age-appropriate content that promotes learning, creativity, and social skills.
Avoid using screens as a default babysitter or reward, and instead treat them
as a tool for occasional, purposeful use.
Making Movement Play Fun
Ultimately, the key to promoting lifelong movement and
physical activity is to make it a joyful, rewarding part of your child's life.
This means focusing on the intrinsic benefits of movement play – the sense of
freedom, creativity, and mastery that comes from exploring one's body and
environment – rather than external rewards or punishments.
Some ways to make movement play more fun and engaging for
your child include:
Follow their interests: Pay attention to the types of
movement and activities that naturally light up your child, and find ways to
incorporate more of them into their routine. Whether it's dancing, climbing, or
playing tag, the more they enjoy an activity, the more likely they are to stick
with it.
Keep it playful: Approach movement play with a sense of
lightheartedness and fun, rather than a strict or competitive mindset. Use
games, challenges, and humor to keep things engaging and enjoyable for your
child.
Mix it up: Avoid getting stuck in a movement rut by
trying new activities and experiences regularly. Whether it's a new sport, a
different playground, or a creative movement game at home, variety helps keep
things fresh and exciting for your child.
Celebrate effort and progress: Focus on praising your
child's effort, persistence, and personal growth in movement play, rather than
just their natural abilities or external achievements. By emphasizing the
journey over the destination, you help foster a growth mindset and a lifelong
love of physical activity.
Martial arts training is a prime example of how movement
play can be both fun and rewarding for children. By combining physical
challenges, creative expression, and personal growth in a supportive, playful
environment, martial arts help children develop a positive relationship with
their bodies and with movement in general.
However, the benefits of martial arts training extend far
beyond the Dojang. By bringing the principles of movement play and active
exploration into your child's everyday life, you help set them up for a
lifetime of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it's through
unstructured play at home, recreational sports and activities in the community,
or simply a joyful, active approach to daily life, the key is to make movement
a natural, integral part of your child's world.
Question for Further Learning
As a parent, one of the most powerful ways you can support
your child's movement play and overall development is to model a positive,
active lifestyle yourself. Children learn by example, and when they see the
adults in their lives prioritizing physical activity and play, they are more
likely to follow suit.
Some questions to ask yourself as you consider your own
relationship with movement and play:
What are my own attitudes and habits around physical
activity? Do I prioritize movement in my own life, or do I tend to be more
sedentary?
How can I make physical activity a regular, enjoyable part
of my routine? What types of movement do I enjoy most, and how can I
incorporate more of them into my day?
How can I involve my child in my own movement play and
physical activities? Can we go on walks or bike rides together, play catch in
the backyard, or have a family dance party in the living room?
What message am I sending my child about the importance of
movement and play through my words and actions? Do I celebrate and encourage
their physical pursuits, or do I prioritize other activities over active play?
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