Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the flexibility of tailoring the academic program to suit the student’s interests and abilities appealing to parents and students alike. With the increasing popularity of homeschooling, it is also important to ensure that it is done effectively, with particular attention to providing adequate opportunities for physical activity to ensure the health and well being of the homeschooled student. In this article, we will look at the various ways in which homeschoolers can stay active, the importance of physical health and wellbeing in homeschooling, and the various physical activities that can be used as part of a homeschooling program.
1. Exploring Physical Health and Wellbeing
Physical Health and Wellbeing is a key component of any successful homeschooling program, with parents encouraged to ensure that their students are getting the necessary physical activity to maintain their health and wellbeing. Parents are also advised to research ways to make physical activity an enjoyable part of the day for their student, encouraging them to take an interest in physical activities.
Common physical activities for homeschoolers include taking regular trips outdoors, participating in regular sports, and planning for activities that the student can take part in locally. Additionally, most homeschoolers will choose activities based on the individual interests of the student, giving them the opportunity to pursue learning through activity with physical health and wellbeing in mind.
2. Get Outside Regularly
Getting outside into nature is among the best ways to stay active, as well as being important for physical and mental health. Parents should encourage their student to get outside as much as possible, either alone or with friends or family.
Outdoor activities such as playing a sport or taking walks are a great way to get active and have fun while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. In addition to being an excellent source of physical activity, actively exploring the natural world can be a great source of mental and emotional wellbeing, fostering a sense of belonging and connection, as well as developing respect for the environment.
3. Participate in Regular Sports
Sport is an important part of any physical activity program, offering both physical and mental benefits to students of all ages. Not only does playing sport help to improve physical fitness, it can also help to foster important life skills such as teamwork, respect and perseverance. Homeschoolers can benefit from the discipline and structure of participating in a team sport, as well as providing the opportunity to exercise and interact with other children.
Parents should explore the different sports that are available in the local area, and encourage their student to get involved in a particular sport or activity that they enjoy.
4. Research Local Activities
Many homeschoolers may find that they are limited by their location when it comes to physical activity and access to resources, or even other homeschoolers. Nevertheless, parents should research the local area to discover physical activities that their student can get involved with.
This can include joining local clubs and organizations, or even finding activities that are more specific to the interests and abilities of the individual student. Depending on where the student is located, there can be a variety of options for physical activities, and these may be a great way to get active and meet other homeschooled students.
5. Tailor Activities to Individual Interests and Abilities
Homeschoolers have the unique opportunity to tailor their physical activities to their particular interests and abilities. For example, if a student is particularly talented in a certain sport or activity, they can pursue these activities further and dedicate more time to perfecting their skills. Additionally, if a student is passionate about a certain type of physical activity, parents can explore ways to incorporate this activity into their homeschooling program.
This can include anything from taking dance classes to participating in martial arts, or any other activity that the student enjoys and has an interest in.
6. Allocate Time for Physical Activity
When creating the homeschooling schedule, parents should ensure that physical activity is included as a priority. This does not necessarily mean that physical activity needs to be taken up every day, but rather that there should be a focus on ensuring that the student gets the necessary physical activity to maintain their health and well being. For younger students, this can include setting aside time for daily outdoor activities, as well as any sports or physical activities that the student may be interested in.
Older students may have the flexibility to plan their own exercise program, so long as they have the support of the parent in their decision making process.
7. Take Part in Extracurricular Activities
Homeschoolers have access to a wide range of extracurricular activities, many of which can also be used as part of the physical activity program. Joining a martial arts club or performing arts classes are just two of the many activities that homeschoolers may have access to, and these can be a great way to stay active and meet other children. Parents should ensure that their student is comfortable and confident when participating in any activity outside of the home, as well as allowing them the freedom to express their individual interests and abilities in the activity of their choice.
8. Incorporate Physical Activity into the Homeschooling Program
Physical activity does not necessarily mean playing a sport, and there are many ways that homeschoolers can incorporate physical activity into their homeschooling program. This can include activities such as taking daily walks, going for hikes, cycling, gardening, doing yoga, and even swimming.
In addition to these activities, parents can also explore ways to use physical education as part of the homeschooling program, as this can provide an excellent way to combine physical activity with learning.
9. Take Advantage of Technology
Technology can be a great way to stay active, and there are many resources available to homeschoolers in this area. From online games and activities, to exercise videos and virtual tours of museums, there are plenty of ways to keep busy and active that don’t involve leaving the house. Parents should ensure that their child is spending their screen time in a constructive and beneficial way, making use of the technology available to them as an alternative to playing video games for hours at a time.
10. Join a Homeschool Group
Homeschooling can often be isolating, so it can be beneficial for students to join a group or organization of other homeschoolers. This can help children to make friends and form connections, as well as giving them an opportunity to participate in physical activities that they may not have access to otherwise.
This can include anything from joining a homeschool running group to participating in a homeschool dance troupe.
11. Pursue Interests and Hobbies
For homeschoolers, it is important to ensure that they have access to activities that they enjoy and can take part in. Parents should explore hobbies and interests that their student has, as this can be a great way to keep them active and engaged. Students can take part in different activities that inspire them, and parents can help them to pursue these hobbies while also ensuring they are learning something new.
12. Consider a Homeschool Physical Education Program
Many homeschooling programs offer physical education classes and sports teams, giving students an opportunity to stay active and engage with other students in a safe and structured environment. Parents should ask their local homeschooling group about any available physical education classes or sports teams, as this can give their student an opportunity to pursue physical activities that they may not otherwise have access to.
13. Start Slowly and Make it Fun
Finally, parents should ensure that they are not putting excessive pressure on themselves or their student to pursue physical activities that they do not necessarily enjoy. Physical activity should be done in moderation, and parents should make sure that their student is having fun and enjoying themselves. By starting off slowly, and making physical activity an enjoyable part of their day, students can develop positive habits that will be beneficial for their health and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Physical health and wellbeing is an important factor for any successful homeschooling program. Parents can ensure that their student gets adequate physical activity by taking advantage of the numerous ways for homeschoolers to stay active. From getting outdoors regularly to joining a homeschool group or joining local clubs and activities, there are many ways for homeschoolers to stay active and have fun while maintaining health and wellness.
Parents can work with their student to ensure that they have a balanced program that includes both academic and physical activities, encouraging them to pursue physical activities that they enjoy and can take part in.