Exercise is so important to the health and well-being of younger children and yet sadly many under-5’s don’t meet the recommended daily minimum of just an hour of physical activity every day. The Change4Life campaign suggests you need to get those little hearts beating faster than usual for at least 60 minutes every day.
Active children are healthier, happier children. It’s not just the chances of becoming overweight that are dramatically reduced by regular exercise – it will lessen the possibility of diabetes and heart disease and strengthen muscles, bones and flexibility. And even in younger children exercise produces a noticeable sense of well-being – letting off steam by running around in the fresh air can help release frustrations as well as boosting self-confidence.
Whether it’s due to long working hours or restrictions in their home environment, some parents simply don’t have the time or space to ensure their child meets even the minimum recommended levels of exercise – even walking to school can sometimes be difficult if parents are pressed for time. It often becomes an extra challenge for hard-pressed pre-school leaders and nursery school teachers to make sure the nation’s under-5’s aren’t under-exercised!
But coming up with new games and new ideas isn’t always easy – especially if you’re short of equipment and sports kit. Why not take a step back and re-visit some of the more traditional games we played when we were young? Remember they might be old-fashioned for you - but for toddlers they will be a new experience!
What’s more, many of the games and ideas use simple equipment but still manage to challenge children to improve their co-ordination, balance and core motor skills as well encouraging individual skills and team work. As an added bonus, it’s easy to build in other learning opportunities such as colour recognition and numeracy.
And with the focus on the Olympics coming up in 2012 it’s a good time to encourage children to emulate some of the athletic challenges that set world records.
Whilst children enjoy dressing up races, round the world races and other so-called ‘sports’ that have found their way on to many summer sports day agendas, many youngsters simply love running, jumping and throwing - testing themselves against their peers and demonstrating their prowess at gymnastics or other Olympic activities.
In 2010 many early years settings benefitted from an injection of free kit supplied by Haven’s Fun & Fitness Giveaway . The scheme, now in its third year, provides free sports equipment to help encourage under-5’s that it’s fun to be fit. The bags or boxes of equipment (depending on the number of children) include balls, hoops, cones, soft foam flyers, balls and scoopers and a parachute for team games.
This year settings that have already participated in the scheme will have the option of receiving a ‘Sports Day Kit’, with all that you need for sports day including team ribbons, stopwatches and certificates.
‘We wanted to give something back to communities and were keen to encourage a return to some of the more traditional activities,’ said a spokesperson for Fun & Fitness.
For more information about how to take part in the Fun & Fitness Giveaway and to benefit from the free equipment on offer click on www.havenfunfitness.com. Registration is easy and there’s no voucher collection or purchase required – once a pre-school or nursery has registered all parents have to do is click on the website and leave a simple message of support.
Try these games!
Balancing Act
Get the children to balance a bean bag on their heads as they walk around a room/outdoor space. Ask them to concentrate on keeping the beanbag glued to their heads and gradually shout for them to either walk ‘faster’, ‘slower’, ‘change directions’ or ‘hop’! !Once the beanbag has fallen from their heads they are of course out. Fun, competitive and helps develop concentration and core motor skills.
Piggy in the middle
A simple game of catch between two children with a third child – the ‘Piggy in the middle’ - trying to catch the beanbag. Or use a ribbon ball for younger children as it’s slower and easier for them to catch.
Balance in the jungle
Set up a hoop at least 5 metres away from the starting line. Divide the children up into ‘animal’ groups
‘Giraffes ’ must stand up tall and balance beanbags on their heads and make it all the way to the hoop without it falling off!
‘Gorillas’ have to balance the beanbag on their shoulder.
‘Snakes’ have to balance the beanbag the back of their hand moving in and out and side to side like a snake.
‘Lions’ have to crawl along on all fours like a lion with the bean bag on their back.
Throwing game
Place a hoop at least 2 metres away from the throwing line. Then place another two hoops behind the first so that there is a line of hoops, each one a little bit further away from the throwing line.
The one furthest from the throwing line is the ‘gold’ hoop where you can earn up to 10 points if a bean bag lands in it. The middle hoop is silver and awards 5 points and the one nearest to the line is bronze and awards 2 points.
The children then take it in turns to stand behind the line and throw beanbags towards the target. After five throws each you can all count up the scores and see who got the most points.
Pretend the beanbags are fish and you’re throwing them back into the pond!
Hoopscotch
Use hoops to make a simple ‘hoopscotch’ game. Lay the hoops on the floor alternating a pair of hoops with a single hoop. The children have to jump with both feet into the single hoop and then star jump into the pair of hoops with one foot in each hoop and arms outstretched.
Alternatively they can hop into the single hoop.
Chase games
Fun, noisy and great for keeping everyone active!
Sharks and swimmers
Place several hoops around the room or outdoor area – these are the ‘islands’. One (or more) of the children is the ‘shark’ and the rest are ‘swimmers’. Everyone runs around the hoops pretending to swim before the ‘sharks’ are released into the ‘water’ to catch them. The ‘sharks’ have to catch the ‘swimmers’ before they jump into the ‘islands’ where they are safe. Any ‘swimmers’ that are caught must then become ‘sharks’ until everyone has been caught.
The Queen’s got a headache!
An oldie but a goldie! The ‘queen’ sits with her back to the other children who have to creep up on her as quietly as possible. If she hears any sounds she turns round and chases the noisy child who has disturbed her headache!
What’s the time Mr Wolf!
This one helps with numbers too! Mr Wolf sits with his back to the other children who call out ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’ It could be three o clock, 2 o clock, or ten o clock....but when he calls out ‘dinner time’ or ‘breakfast time’ he turns round and chases the other children to make a tasty meal!
Ring a Rosie
What could be more traditional than a game of Ring a Rosie? The children walk round in a circle holding hands chanting the familiar rhyme
Ring a ring a rosie
A pocket full of posies
A tishoo, a tishoo
We all fall down!
And of course falling down at the appropriate moment.
Bring new life and extra fun by using a parachute which the children should all hold onto as they walk or skip around in a circle moving the parachute up and down.
At the very end ask them to lift the parachute as high as they can and then all fall down! Simple but fun.
Swap!
The children stand in a circle holding the parachute and flapping it up and down. The leader calls out the names of two children and the rest of the children shout “swap!”. As the other youngsters lift the parachute up into the air the chosen two run underneath it and swap places.
Good for reinforcing turn taking and sharing and keeping the children in suspense as they listen out for their own name!
Don’t forget simple ball and hoop games
There are so many variations on a game of catch – which can help with hand and eye co-ordination, team work and even numeracy and colours!
You can play one on one catch, throwing a ball around a circle, throwing a ball between two lines of children.
Throw the ball up in the air and catch it five times. Bounce the ball four times. Throw it against the wall or to a partner three times. Bounce it between your legs twice. Throw it up in the air and clap before you catch it once!
Stand the children in a coloured hoop and shout out different tasks for each colour: ‘Reds throw up in the air’ – ‘Blues’ throw to each other – ‘Greens’ bounce the ball.
Get half the children to hold the hoops upright whilst the others either kick or throw the balls through the hoops.
Use old fashioned ‘scoopers’ and plastic balls either individually or in pairs.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Haven’ an even better Group Break
‘We provide Britain’s favourite seaside holidays’ say Haven who have just launched their 2011 holiday brochure.
With a choice of 35 holiday parks around the UK, many with direct access to some of Britain’s most beautiful stretches of coastline and liveliest resorts it’s easy to see why they make this claim.
But it’s not just about families enjoying the sand and surf, buckets and spades and miles of coastal walks – Haven offer a huge choice for a wide range of groups as well.
They promise plenty to do with lots of different facilities, a full programme of daytime and evening entertainment and loads included in the cost – plus they offer the advantage of group benefits and discounts for as few as five units of accommodation.
If you’ve never considered a holiday park as a venue before it’s worth thinking about their potential for a whole range of options from providing venues and accommodation for martial arts, dance events, music festivals and celebrations or corporate destinations with space for outdoor launches, indoor conferences or the scope for team building exercises. And of course their facilities and locations make them perfect for social groups or clubs – whether it’s friends and family getting together or a fishing or rambling club.
2011 at Haven sees an action-packed programme of sports and splash activities – which are great for team building, enjoying with friends and family, or for socialising after a day of focussed group activities.
The new B Fit sessions promise you can dance yourself fit – or at least have fun trying. It’s suitable for all ages from three years upwards and is one of several options for younger children including mini archery, mini fencing and mini tennis – all at no extra cost.
Bigger kids (and grown ups!) will love the new Laser Combat zones at selected parks or the popular climbing walls and ropes courses, Adventure Golf or roller blading.
Next year Football Coaching is free of charge and available on all parks – or have a stab at fencing or archery. And selected parks offer fishing, golf or tennis coaching as well.
Fancy a swim? All Haven parks have superb indoor heated leisure pools and many have toddler pools and SplashZones perfect for younger visitors. But if you’re a real water enthusiastic you can work your way through a whole menu that includes Aqua-Jets, Aqua Gliders, Turbo Paddlers, Water Walkerz and Fun Inflatable sessions....enough to make your skin go wrinkly! For a real thrill, check out the Space Bowls at Combe Haven in Hastings, Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes and Marton Mere at Blackpool .
Evenings are a mega-feast of entertainment with resident FunStars, stage-shows, music, dancing and visiting cabaret - all free! And there are Kids’ Clubs, character shows, party dance sessions, cooking in Annabel’s Creative Kitchen (created by child food guru Annabel Karmel), year round pantomimes and Wildlife Detectives.
With their continuing programme of investment there’s always something new, fresh and exciting to look forward to – whether it’s improved accommodation, more attractive landscaping or even better facilities and entertainment.
Great value for money, the cost is per holiday home and not per person – making it easier for groups to budget – especially as they have accommodation available that will sleep up to eight people. Haven offer a range of self-catering accommodation from the economical ‘Standard’ range through to the more luxurious ‘Prestige’ or super swanky ‘Platinum’ holiday homes.
It’s worth talking to one of Haven’s dedicated Group Booking Advisors to discuss your needs and to take advantage of the best choice of early booking offers and groups discounts – especially as some of the more popular dates and destinations get booked up surprisingly early. Their 50% discount offer on Spring and early Summer breaks; savings of up to £100 on Prestige accommodation and other exclusive deals for groups end on January 31st – giving a significant price advantage if you plan ahead.
Call 0871 320 1911 or click on www.havengroups.co.uk
November 16th 2010
For media information, high-res images and press visits please contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk
With a choice of 35 holiday parks around the UK, many with direct access to some of Britain’s most beautiful stretches of coastline and liveliest resorts it’s easy to see why they make this claim.
But it’s not just about families enjoying the sand and surf, buckets and spades and miles of coastal walks – Haven offer a huge choice for a wide range of groups as well.
They promise plenty to do with lots of different facilities, a full programme of daytime and evening entertainment and loads included in the cost – plus they offer the advantage of group benefits and discounts for as few as five units of accommodation.
If you’ve never considered a holiday park as a venue before it’s worth thinking about their potential for a whole range of options from providing venues and accommodation for martial arts, dance events, music festivals and celebrations or corporate destinations with space for outdoor launches, indoor conferences or the scope for team building exercises. And of course their facilities and locations make them perfect for social groups or clubs – whether it’s friends and family getting together or a fishing or rambling club.
2011 at Haven sees an action-packed programme of sports and splash activities – which are great for team building, enjoying with friends and family, or for socialising after a day of focussed group activities.
The new B Fit sessions promise you can dance yourself fit – or at least have fun trying. It’s suitable for all ages from three years upwards and is one of several options for younger children including mini archery, mini fencing and mini tennis – all at no extra cost.
Bigger kids (and grown ups!) will love the new Laser Combat zones at selected parks or the popular climbing walls and ropes courses, Adventure Golf or roller blading.
Next year Football Coaching is free of charge and available on all parks – or have a stab at fencing or archery. And selected parks offer fishing, golf or tennis coaching as well.
Fancy a swim? All Haven parks have superb indoor heated leisure pools and many have toddler pools and SplashZones perfect for younger visitors. But if you’re a real water enthusiastic you can work your way through a whole menu that includes Aqua-Jets, Aqua Gliders, Turbo Paddlers, Water Walkerz and Fun Inflatable sessions....enough to make your skin go wrinkly! For a real thrill, check out the Space Bowls at Combe Haven in Hastings, Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes and Marton Mere at Blackpool .
Evenings are a mega-feast of entertainment with resident FunStars, stage-shows, music, dancing and visiting cabaret - all free! And there are Kids’ Clubs, character shows, party dance sessions, cooking in Annabel’s Creative Kitchen (created by child food guru Annabel Karmel), year round pantomimes and Wildlife Detectives.
With their continuing programme of investment there’s always something new, fresh and exciting to look forward to – whether it’s improved accommodation, more attractive landscaping or even better facilities and entertainment.
Great value for money, the cost is per holiday home and not per person – making it easier for groups to budget – especially as they have accommodation available that will sleep up to eight people. Haven offer a range of self-catering accommodation from the economical ‘Standard’ range through to the more luxurious ‘Prestige’ or super swanky ‘Platinum’ holiday homes.
It’s worth talking to one of Haven’s dedicated Group Booking Advisors to discuss your needs and to take advantage of the best choice of early booking offers and groups discounts – especially as some of the more popular dates and destinations get booked up surprisingly early. Their 50% discount offer on Spring and early Summer breaks; savings of up to £100 on Prestige accommodation and other exclusive deals for groups end on January 31st – giving a significant price advantage if you plan ahead.
Call 0871 320 1911 or click on www.havengroups.co.uk
November 16th 2010
For media information, high-res images and press visits please contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk
Thursday, 4 November 2010
2,000 UK nurseries can’t be wrong!
More than 2,000 early years settings have signed up to Haven’s Fun & Fitness scheme since its re-launch in September and stand to benefit from up to £250 worth of free sports equipment. The scheme, now in its third year, has hit record highs as hundreds of additional nurseries, playschools and pre-schools have continued to sign up.
However, although the scheme has got off to a flying start, there are still plenty of places available and Haven are urging settings who haven’t already done so to register for their free pack of goodies.
Haven organisers say, ‘A lot of pre-schools have clearly discovered how fantastic the initiative is, but there are still plenty of others that remain unsure about joining in and will miss out on all the benefits of up to £250 worth of equipment if they do not register soon.’
Last year thousands of children benefitted from using the free sports equipment after taking part in the scheme. But despite the difference the equipment made to the children’s physical activities, it took a while for some parents and staff to get on board. Pre-school leader Judith Cotter said, ‘The only problem in getting the scheme off the ground was persuading everyone there was no catch. They just wouldn’t believe it! But there really isn’t and it’s important to point this out to parents and pre-schools so that they can take full advantage.’
Designed to encourage under-5’s to get the fitness habit early, the web-based scheme provides substantial bags or boxes of sports kit especially chosen to appeal to younger users. Nurseries which took part over the last few years have expressed how much of a difference the equipment has made to their youngsters’ daily activities and wellbeing, as well as how simple it was to get involved in the scheme.
There is no voucher collection involved and early years settings simply need to register their interest on www.havenfunfitness.com and encourage parents to visit the website and leave a simple message of support.
Haven Fun & Fitness is operated by Haven Holidays. For more information click on www.haven.com
4th November 2010
For media information call About Words on 01444 235 154 or email Sheira@aboutwords.co.uk
However, although the scheme has got off to a flying start, there are still plenty of places available and Haven are urging settings who haven’t already done so to register for their free pack of goodies.
Haven organisers say, ‘A lot of pre-schools have clearly discovered how fantastic the initiative is, but there are still plenty of others that remain unsure about joining in and will miss out on all the benefits of up to £250 worth of equipment if they do not register soon.’
Last year thousands of children benefitted from using the free sports equipment after taking part in the scheme. But despite the difference the equipment made to the children’s physical activities, it took a while for some parents and staff to get on board. Pre-school leader Judith Cotter said, ‘The only problem in getting the scheme off the ground was persuading everyone there was no catch. They just wouldn’t believe it! But there really isn’t and it’s important to point this out to parents and pre-schools so that they can take full advantage.’
Designed to encourage under-5’s to get the fitness habit early, the web-based scheme provides substantial bags or boxes of sports kit especially chosen to appeal to younger users. Nurseries which took part over the last few years have expressed how much of a difference the equipment has made to their youngsters’ daily activities and wellbeing, as well as how simple it was to get involved in the scheme.
There is no voucher collection involved and early years settings simply need to register their interest on www.havenfunfitness.com and encourage parents to visit the website and leave a simple message of support.
Haven Fun & Fitness is operated by Haven Holidays. For more information click on www.haven.com
4th November 2010
For media information call About Words on 01444 235 154 or email Sheira@aboutwords.co.uk
Monday, 1 November 2010
Haven’s Got so much Talent!
The Haven’s Got Talent finals staged at Primrose Valley Holiday Park attracted talented youngsters from all over the country for an exceptional showcase of singers and dancers.
The event was the result of contests held at 10 key Haven parks during the six weeks of the summer holidays. Winners were invited back to Primrose Valley for a free break over half term to compete for the overall title and prize money of £1000.
Judges included top X Factor finalists Same Difference and Tommy Dee of Tommy Dee Entertainments who books thousands of visiting cabaret acts each year for Haven Holidays.
Overwhelmed by the standard of the performers, Same Difference said that winners Ryan and Greg Bradshaw who were just 12 and 15, reminded them of themselves when they started out! The two brothers gave a fabulous performance of ‘Where is the Love’ which had the audience dancing in the aisles.
Haven director Howard Rawlings said: “We didn’t know we had so much talent at Haven, but we do now! This is certainly something for the future.”
Haven’s evening entertainment programme for 2011 includes stage-shows from their own Fun Stars, party dances and character shows for the kids, summer-time pantos, circus acts, top tribute bands and star acts from the Britain’s cabaret circuit as well as action-packed days with kid’s clubs, day-time shows, sports and organised activities.
Book early to get the best possible savings on all that Haven Holidays has to offer for next year. Currently you can save up to 50% on Spring and early Summer breaks with up to 25% savings on peak summer holiday dates. Prices start at less than £100 for four night break for a family of up to six people.
Click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900 for more details and immediate bookings.
1st November 2010
Notes to Editors:
For media information , high-res images and press trips contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk
Calls to 0871 numbers cost no more than 10p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.
Haven Holidays is part of Bourne Leisure Ltd who own Warner Leisure Hotels and Butlins Resorts and were awarded Best UK Operator 2010 by Travel Trade Gazette.
The event was the result of contests held at 10 key Haven parks during the six weeks of the summer holidays. Winners were invited back to Primrose Valley for a free break over half term to compete for the overall title and prize money of £1000.
Judges included top X Factor finalists Same Difference and Tommy Dee of Tommy Dee Entertainments who books thousands of visiting cabaret acts each year for Haven Holidays.
Overwhelmed by the standard of the performers, Same Difference said that winners Ryan and Greg Bradshaw who were just 12 and 15, reminded them of themselves when they started out! The two brothers gave a fabulous performance of ‘Where is the Love’ which had the audience dancing in the aisles.
Haven director Howard Rawlings said: “We didn’t know we had so much talent at Haven, but we do now! This is certainly something for the future.”
Haven’s evening entertainment programme for 2011 includes stage-shows from their own Fun Stars, party dances and character shows for the kids, summer-time pantos, circus acts, top tribute bands and star acts from the Britain’s cabaret circuit as well as action-packed days with kid’s clubs, day-time shows, sports and organised activities.
Book early to get the best possible savings on all that Haven Holidays has to offer for next year. Currently you can save up to 50% on Spring and early Summer breaks with up to 25% savings on peak summer holiday dates. Prices start at less than £100 for four night break for a family of up to six people.
Click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900 for more details and immediate bookings.
1st November 2010
Notes to Editors:
For media information , high-res images and press trips contact About Words on 01444 235 154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk
Calls to 0871 numbers cost no more than 10p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.
Haven Holidays is part of Bourne Leisure Ltd who own Warner Leisure Hotels and Butlins Resorts and were awarded Best UK Operator 2010 by Travel Trade Gazette.
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