Obstacle Courses

A great way to keep children regulated (and entertained!) is to get them to do obstacle courses. They can plan their own, write it down, test it, change it, most importantly have fun with it. My boys had a go, have a look. Try and encourage your children to start with fast activities and slow down the pace towards the end, ending in calming activities.
Some ideas from ours:
We have included: alerting activities - these wake up the brain; organising activities - these get the body and brain working together; calming activities - most important at the end to support regulation and not leave children 'fizzy'.
- Jumping - alerting - ideally jump into a crash mat/pile of pillows
- Stepping stones and tightrope - organising activities - you could also do star jumps and squat jumps, alternating between the two to really get the brain in gear
- Run on sofa - alerting - or you could run on the spot, or use a hoola hoop
- Crawling - begin to calm the body
- Push the wall - calming - get your child to push as hard as they can, as if they were trying to push it down. Or they could do press ups if older.
- Big bear hug - calming, wonderful co-regulation. If your child prefers not to hug then you could squash them with a pillow whilst they lie on their tummy (not over their head) or give them a hand massage if they prefer to sit up.
Have fun!

[@maragainaru166]

Science + pragmatics+ well being+compassion=perfection! Thank you for this! Its brillant and heart warming:)

[@geraldinemoneyas4865]

As an ECE I never thought of obstacle courses in this context but I love the idea! Been thinking more and more of these lately due to small space we have and making better use of it for physical activity. Thanks for sharing

[@Ukrainesdude]

*Jolly good! While my sophisticated pinkie finger sticks up I shall drink my tea and finish this obstacle course in a jiffy! Jolly good!*

[@kiikiinpiink]

Super cute

[@pixiepower5733]

Love this! Looking forward to trying it with my 8 year old who still throws tantrums!

[@kellyevans7160]

Love this, excellent work Candia x

[@dharminved9954]

I like obstical courses

[@Waffle4R]

not really good. I don't like it.