303 Tween-Approved Exercises and Active Games

by Kimberly Wechsler, Leisa Hart (Foreword), Michael Sleva (Illustrator)

This book is not just for classrooms or families with overweight or unhealthy kids--every family that has children with televisions, computers, and/or video games under one roof should take care to exercise regularly. ‘Tweens spend as much time sitting down watching TV, playing video games, or using computers as they spend in school each week. According to statistics from the U.S. Health and Human Resources Department, one third of American children are overweight or obese due to our lifestyle choices. The number one concern that parents bring up to pediatricians is keeping kids fit, and half of all children are not physically active enough for the development of a healthy cardiovascular system. In this age of electronic media, where we become watchers instead of doers, we are simply forgetting the many wonderful ways of playing and exercising together.

‘Tweens in particular are susceptible to overweight issues; the drop-out rate of structured sports programs is highest at this age group.303 Tween-Approved Exercises and Active Games is written specifically for kids ages 9-12 years old. Kimberley Wechsler, a specialist in Kid’s Fitness, took into account the fundamental attributes of being a child while developing these exercises. Children have specific physiologic differences that make them unique. They grow, mature, and develop skills at different ages, so what may be skill appropriate for one child could be harmful for another child. These exercises reflect the emotional, social, physical level of this age group.

Children of this age group are now at the skill level in which physical challenges like mind, body, meditation, balance, muscle strengthening, and sport performance building exercises become very important. Sports skills and drills can now be developed, and competition is highlighted and welcomed within this age group. Kids at this age like to show off their talents so it is important for teachers and parents to observe and provide positive feedback on all of their accomplishments. At this age, tweens want to belong to a sport, group, or identify with a sport celebrity to begin to define who they are and what their likes are; friends also tend to become more of an influence than parents at this age. Bad behavior patterns and peer pressure have now developed--making it more difficult to change current patterns--but it can be done. 303 Tween-Approved Exercises and Active Games can help tweens build confidence in high-pressure situations and build their social skills through playing team sports.

Kids within this age group are now experienced with the basic fundamentals of fitness and prefer games, sports, and exercises that are more challenging and competitive. They are physically, intellectually, emotionally becoming young adults. They can think abstractly, make decisions, understand rules and challenge rules; they are more mature then kids 6-8 years old, and their games and physical challenges must reflect these characteristics. They have formed a sense of self-identity and they are more independent, yet their friends are very important to them. Many of the exercises are written to include their friends--they can challenge their friends or work as a team with their friends.

Tweens have a preferred Fitness Personality--a style of fitness that suits their likes. Therefore, they can choose their style of exercises from 303 physical challenges. They can choose to do them independently, with a friend, or with a group of friends. They can choose from many styles of fitness in 303 Tween-Approved Exercises and Active Games: mind/body, military style fitness, sports performance, functional resistance, strength training, plyometric style, outdoor challenges, circuit/interval/obstacle course training. 303 Tween-Approved Exercises and Active Games allows ‘tweens to choose the type of exercise. By giving each challenge/game a point value, ‘tweens can freely choose their exercises and will receive a complete workout each and every time. Teachers and parents can join in on the fun too!

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

For those who are interested in more of my credentials, here you go!

Served on the Governors Committee for Youth Fitness
opened four “award winning” fitness camps
Served as coach for basketball and baseball for Boys and Girl Clubs of America.
Physical education teacher.
I teach cooking classes.
I teach yoga/pilates/water fitness/personal training.
I hosted a television show on family fitness and have lectured on you guessed it, health and fitness.
I hosted a radio show.

RECENT MEDIA/JOURNALISM:

CEO, Fitness Productions, LLC
Author,
BOOKS:
303 Preschooler-Approved Exercises and Active Games 2012
Author, 303 Kid-Approved Exercises and Active Games 2012
Author, 303 ‘Tween-approved Exercises and Active Games 2012
Author 101 Cool Pool Games, 2007
Author 101 Juegos de Piscina Para Ninos, 2007
2013 Smoothies! Become a Smoothie Alchemist.
Family Games. The Best in Family Game Night.
Boot Camp Fitness for Kids.
Why Should I Drink More Water?
Host, Fit American Families Blogcast Radio Mondays @4:00p.m. CST. (present)
Host, Television Healthy Lifestyles 2007
Founded, Non-Profit Organization Replay4Kids, 2011
Opened 4 Award Winning Fitness Camps
Keynote Speaker NERHSA
Keynote Speaker, IHRSA

Reviews

[Sade · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Copy kindly provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I've purchased the school aged exercise/active game book and I think they are both amazing. I've found that the activities in these books come in handy particularly when running support groups/therapy groups. I can't wait for the opportunity to use these in my next group.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an EarlyReader for LibraryThing.

As a grandmother of a 3 year old, I was excited to receive a copy of this book and I am not disappointed! In an age where children can find so many things to sit in front of or hold in their hands, it is smart to have a game plan to promote activity. This book is a primer for parents, teachers, group leaders and grandparents to use in promoting fun fitness activities for pre-schoolers. It is divided into exercises and games on different levels. It can be used with groups and solo.
The exercises are basic ones we all know, with a name or idea to make it fun for a little one to do. Exercises are categorized by the skills they promote; balance, fine motor, jumping, running, heart strength, etc. If equipment is needed it is minimal and noted. There are music and rhythm games that be used at parties.
Stringing a group of activities together in a block of time to do a workout (without calling it one) is a nice addition. I can see teachers using that.
Also, it is going to be good for the teacher or parent or grandparent who does these activities with their little one! Healthy at all ages.
The author is a fitness and dance instructor who has tested these activities.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect resource book for any pre-school/pre-K classroom or program. It contains hundreds of exercises and games designed to develop endurance, strength, balance and flexibility in children three to five years old. The games are categorized by the type of exercise (stretching, building muscle, teaching balance, etc.) and the size of group the activity is appropriate for (pair, small group, any size, entire group). They are further broken down into levels, starting with more basic exercises that will help young children develop the skills necessary for more complex physical activity.

Here are just a few of my favorites:
Mimicking the body movements of different animals, such as lizards, crocodiles, and inchworms.
The Overhead: having the children pretend to reach for something overhead that is just a little out of their reach.
The Baseball Swing & the Airplane Soar!

This is a great book. It has dozens of ideas for activities that will help young children be more active, while allowing them to use their imaginations. As a primary school teacher myself, I am sure it will be a wonderful addition to our classroom. It is chock-full of fun, SIMPLE ideas to get kids moving!

I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program.