Monday Moves: teaching opposites

Talk to your child. 

He may not quite fully understand what you're saying to him (especially if he's an  infant) but they'll try their best to engage in a converstaion. He may babble and drool, and also scream at times, but in the midst of all the chaos your child can turn out to be a source of inspiration!

To return the favor (and also help your child develop his cognitive skills), talk to your child in a way that benefits him in the long run.  Teaching opposites can be a good start. Use everyday objects or routines as tools to help with your lesson.

This week I have tried to do the same: an exercise that tones your lower body core while also help you to teach your child vocabulary.

Squats or the 'High and Low'

• While facing your baby, stand erect with your legs shoulder width apart.

• Extend your arms infront of you so that they are at 90-degrees to your torso (aiming for a Frankenstein pose here).

'grrr .. me no like exercise'

• Keep your back straight to balance your body.

• Slowly lower your torso, pushing your weight down on your thighs, till your knees are at a 90-degree angle. Do not drop your behind lower than your knees. In such instances the knees push ahead of the toes and may weaken in the long run.  

• Tell your baby, 'This is Low'

• Maintain the tension in your thighs as you count up to 3 in the position.

• Slowly pull yourself up to the original position.

• Tell your baby, 'This is High'

• Start from a single set of 10 reps and increase the reps by 5 each week.

Lunges or the 'Left and Right'

• While facing your baby, stand erect with your legs shoulder width apart (since squats had a monster we'll have a pretty doll here standing in the attempted position, only without the heels).

'i love my awesome heels'

• Bend the left leg at the back and pull forward your right leg to dip your body to lunge.

• Tell your baby, 'This is Right'

• Return to original position.

• Repeat with the opposite leg. 

• Tell your baby, 'This is Left'

• This is 1 rep. Work up to a single set of 10 reps, gradually increasing 5 reps each week.

This is hardly a 15-minute workout, and is also very useful for mothers who have fussy babies and demand attention. 

And if you choose to incorporate the daily english lesson who knows by the time your child steps into his teens he just might be abe to beat Doogie Howser M.D.  

'till the day we meet little man'