Nannies are often charged with ensuring the children in their care get enough exercise. Which can seem more like a prescription than a pleasure. Because nannies work long hours and often bend and stoop over small children for most of their day. They are at risk of bad posture and little cardio activity that would improve their overall fitness. A good way to benefit both child and nanny is to plan some fun that will develop and delight them both. As we all know, children require healthy levels of exercise to develop their full mental and physical capacities. At The Elite Nanny Company we encourage families to exercise because we know it’s good for everybody!
A walk in the park
Whether it’s a game of frisbee with an older child or a nature walk with a younger one. Nanny can gain stimulation and social contacts. Whilst the little (or not so little) one gets healthy fresh air and a great range of exposure to sights, sounds, smells and surfaces that increase stimulation. Children stimulated by outdoor activity eat better and sleep more soundly. Especially at this time of year when the clocks change which can be disruptive to routines.
Wet weather walking is also fun
If the weather is terrible. A local museum or art gallery can provide a great venue for a short walk with many interesting things to look at and learn about.
Designate soft play at home
While nanny is often responsible for tidying up. Sometimes it’s a great idea to allow her to make half of a bedroom into a soft play area for the day. This can involve building a play fort or a maze or setting up an obstacle course and timing the children as they attempt to complete it in the shortest possible time. Much fun for all concerned and the element of competition. If only with themselves, can spur a child on to really excel.
Yoga
Classes for children often leave nanny at a loose end but one place that doesn’t happen nearly as much is yoga. A good DVD or YouTube video focused on asanas that children can safely practice allows both nanny and child to stretch, and develop coordination and breathing skills. And then when her charge takes a nap. Nanny can whip out her yoga mat and take a quick half hour to extend her skills by working on some more complex asanas which will help her health and wellbeing.
Golfing growth
If you have a local mini golf site, why not let nanny and her charge play a regular round? You’ll be amazed how skilled they can both become and if nanny gets into it. She might even appreciate a membership at the local driving range as a birthday present!
Set up an exercise box
For rainy days or occasions when you can’t go out and do something fun. An exercise box that you’ve set up in advance can be an invaluable asset. Put in a treasure map of the house with some pirate props, some disco accessories and a set of explorer gear including toy binoculars. Let the children work out their own activities for a set of accessories but give nanny some notes to help her out. The disco gear for example could be used to set up a conga line or an X Factor audition. While the treasure map should involve an entire tour of the house and end up with each child finding a little toy as a ‘treasure’.
A little planning in advance will help your children develop healthy exercise habits. Whilst your nanny will benefit from being able to take adequate exercise during her daily routine.