We have discovered something new for helping kids to get active; Capoeira. But what is it, and why does it help to get kids moving? Capoeira Communities, another Social Enterprise here in the UK, explains in more details about the dance, and how it can be used to get kids up and about indoors.
What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is a Brasilian form of martial arts, that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Did you know that it was developed by African slaves in Brasil at the beginning of the 16th Century. Nope, we didn’t either. Focus within the movements are to create a sense of “flow” within the routines. It is a beautifully rounded form of fitness as it develops a number of different aspects for those practising it, including:
- Balance,
- Co-ordination,
- Core strength,
- Stamina, and
- Flexibility.
It might not be something that you first think of as for kids; however if approached in a suitable way, it is PERFECT for combing fitness and learning because of Capoeira’s cultural background.
How can you use Capoeira to get kids moving at home
Capoeira Communities, who provide a fabulous video course for both schools (£135 for a year) and parents (£30) to help kids learn Capoeira, have put together some ideas on how to use the activity to improve kids movement and fits. You can check out the introduction and first class for this here:
There are their top 5 tips to get kids moving with the activity:
1. Use their (and your) imagination!
Everything is heaps more fun with imagination. To get our kids moving we need to tell them to pretend they are a cat or a frog or that their whole body has transformed into jelly!
For example, in the Capoeira primary school lessons, Capoeira Communities use animal shapes to help children understand how to move in different ways. For the video’s the company have created animal characters so when they see frog, they can imagine they are hopping around with a lil’ froggy.
Fun is engaging to children, and it is worth taking the time to think of ways to help explore kids imaginations while inspiring them to move.
2. Learn through play
Creative play is the perfect partner for imagination. For example, when warming up to begin exercise, why not use the ‘Beans game’ – asking kids to transform into string beans, jumping beans, or broad beans! When we move like animals or plants (!), it feels like play but really kids are learning the foundations for much more complex movements.
3. Repetition
Repetition is key for children’s exercise, it builds confidence in themselves, their movements and their enjoyment of games. The videos follow the same format. It’s important to keep a familiarity while learning new things so children don’t feel lost.
It is easier to learn how to stand on your head (!) when you have done it a few times….
4. Achievable Goals
Feeling a sense of achievement is important in children’s fitness, for their self confidence and also staying retentive. So any activities need to ensure goals are achievable while also providing more challenging ideas that will take a bit more practise.
5. Self Expression
Exercise doesn’t always allow for this one, thats why Capoeira is quite unique. The dance elements allow children to create a sequence combining different animal shapes and movements however they want. They are creating something for themselves out of the movements learnt.
This is a wonderful way to empower kids by helping them to feel more in control, and able to express themselves. Anything within a learning environment that allows for kids self-expression is an excellent way of engagement them with the task in hand.
Capoeira Communities use all these ideas within their lessons, so do check them out.
These classes are a great way of get the kids to stay fit in the home; while also learning about a different culture and fitness strategy.
We hope that you like this article. We have a few other ideas focused on developing kids wellbeing, why not check them out too?
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How to help your children to have healthy eating habits.
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Thanks again for coming.
Take care,
Helen
Note: This post is provided for free, but we have worked with the company before.
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!