Making kids learn and concentrate on one particular thing can be quite challenging. They need breaks from routine and academics. One way to do this is to add a fun element. Fun activities have a calming effect on children’s minds. It distracts them away from troubling thoughts and keeps them engaged. Fun exercises improve the concentration power, memory, physical fitness, and overall well-being of a child. Inclusion of these activities reduces exhaustion and contributes to improved emotional health and growth. These activities can be integrated into the curriculum and also in the daily routine to maintain consistency and derive lifelong benefits. This blog cover ten fun activities that you can make your children indulge in.
Drawing
Drawing is one of the most enjoyable activities that is relaxing and instills creativity in children. They learn hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and develop fine motor skills. Join them in a drawing class to improve detailing and receive proper guidance. Another added advantage is that this hobby can be pursued as a career in the future.
Yoga
The benefits of yoga is multi-faceted. It has a profound positive impact on mind and body. On one hand, it improves flexibility and endurance. Starting yoga early helps keep diseases at bay. On the other hand, it has a soothing effect on the brain. It brings down stress levels, improving focus and concentration. Yoga keeps children energetic throughout the day.
Listening to Music / Singing
After a long and hectic day at school, imagine how calm music can be! The power of music cannot be underestimated. It works like magic for the kids to express their feelings, regulate emotions, and take motivation. Calm music creates a pleasant environment. Singing builds confidence and teaches new words. It is also essential to maintain respiratory health. Try and incorporate singing into your everyday routine while performing small tasks or by taking it up as a passion.
Storytelling
Children are always excited to listen to stories. Stories keep children engaged. Bedtime stories, especially, help them in retention and quickly falling asleep. Storytelling is one of the best methods to develop imaginative capabilities or learn a new language. By listening to stories frequently, children improve their fluency, communication and comprehensive skills. It expands their vocabulary and improves their grip on the language.
Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is a practice of meditation that is guided by a trainer. It focuses on breathing control. Children should practice mindfulness to gain numerous benefits like improved focus, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. It reduces anxiety levels and induces quality sleep. Mantra chanting, meditating with instrumental music on, or starting with simple breathing exercises are some effective ways to start meditation.
Gentle Stretching
Subtle stretching exercises bring flexibility, improve blood circulation, and develop motor skills. It increases energy levels and protects the body from early fatigue. It calms the mind and helps children stay active. Child’s pose, bow pose, cobra pose, seated toe touch, downward-facing dog, cat-crow stretch, overhead arm stretch, crossbody shoulder stretch, knee lunge, and butterfly stretch are some of the simple stretching exercises for kids to begin with.
Reading
Reading from an early age builds on comprehensive and understanding skills. Kids learn new words and are introduced to new phrases that can be used in everyday conversations. Reading encourages imagination and creative thinking abilities. Every kid has to make reading a habit to learn new things and be updated. Reading books of different genres helps them develop a broad mindset and be aware of surroundings. Moral stories, novels, newspapers, or biographies offer different perspectives on life.
Nature Walks
Nature is always comforting. Just a walk through amidst the greens can relax the mind and improve concentration. Kids must explore the outdoors to know their surroundings well. Children learn about ecology, biology, and environmental studies by observing plants and animals. Tree climbing, collecting leaves, building nests, or identifying the animals and plants are a few fun activities that interest kids.
Sensory Play
Sensory play includes activities that stimulate the senses. Children play with materials by touching and feeling them. It improves motor skills and coordination. It also leads to cognitive development. Sensory play helps children develop problem-solving skills, adaptability, and creativity. Clay moulding, building sand houses, tasting different foods, or painting with fingers are some sensory play exercises.
Building with Blocks or Legos
Children use their creative and imaginative skills while designing a block. It fosters hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and problem-solving skills. It encourages children to think independently. Children learn counting, sorting, analysing problems, and designing their own structures. This improves their brain development and mathematical capabilities.
Conclusion
Fun activities may seem simple but they are highly effective. Their role in developing mobility, creativity, physical fitness, and intellectual abilities cannot be overemphasized. They reduce anxiety and improve calmness in the brain and body. Schools and parents should integrate these activities into the daily routine of the children to reap rich dividends.
Check: A Guide to Parent-Teacher Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Dancing, singing, coloring, listening to music, stretching exercises, sensory play activities, reading, and walking through nature are some quick activities that can reduce stress in children.
Sensory activities engages senses of children. They reduce anxiety and improve focus. Children learn to regulate emotions and think creatively. Playing with water, painting with fingers and clay moulding are some sensory activities to help children calm their mind.
Calm, Headspace, Smiling Mind, Insight Timer, and Mindful Powers are some of the guided meditation apps that are specially designed for children. These apps improve focus and help them stay calm and sleep better.
Though there is no ideal choice of music, classical music, sounds of nature, instrumental music, and lullabies are said to have a calming effect on children.
