DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS: ENDURANCE

Endurance is defined as the ability to demonstrate sustained effort without physical fatigue.  So basically, endurance is how long you can keep moving!  Now, if you are 40 like me, things take on a whole new meaning as endurance means making it through the day without a nap!  :)

But kids take endurance to a whole new level.  If you’ve ever played tag with a group of preschoolers, you’ve seen the power of endurance at work.  Most kids seem like they can go, go, go without ever needing a break.

Adults tend to move less than kids because of desk jobs and driving.  They also tend to sleep less than kids because of things like crying babies and sinks full of dishes.  Because of this, they usually have lower endurance than kids, leaving them panting and begging for a break– or, in my case that nap, during a game of tag.

Endurance develops gradually as children get exercise through both structured and unstructured activities.  The results of this exercise include stronger muscles, decreased body fat, and cardiovascular health which all contribute to how long a child can sustain movement.

The CDC recommends that all children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.  Sound like a lot?  It’s really not.  Here are a few suggestions on how to give kids adequate opportunities to develop everything they need for awesome endurance.

-Head out to the playground and try a few of these fun games!

–Teach your child how to jump rope and see if they can gradually increase the number of minutes they can sustain the activity!

-Core Strength Rocks — strong muscles = greater endurance.  Try these fun ways to build a strong core with kids!

-Cool off in the pool!  Help your child learn to swim and you will target endurance without your child even realizing it!!  Or, try some of these awesome pool games for kids!

-Play a game of tag…we have a few fun variations like Firecraker Tag, Animal Tag and Line Tag.  Which is your favorite?

At The Inspired Treehouse, we believe that information about developmental skills and child development should be accessible to everyone, not just medical professionals.  You won’t find a lot of complicated lingo here – we prefer breaking things down into terms that are a little less intimidating.  That’s why we’re bringing you this awesome series: The ABCs of Child Development!

Over the next few months, we’ll be making our way through the alphabet, assigning the letters to different developmental skills.  From gross motor to fine motor to sensory and more…when it comes to developmental terminology (and easy-to-understand definitions), you’ll find everything you’re looking for all in one place!