BOSTON — The future of classroom learning in Massachusetts is uncertain, but we know things will look much different than before.
“All parents are a little on edge because we have no idea what’s coming,” said Caitlin Moran, a Needham mom of two.
While parents have been searching for ways to ensure their kids don’t fall behind, a pair of Needham personal trainers believe it’s important to keep physical education in their routine as well.
Erika Synder and her husband Sam Horenstein are both personal trainers. They recognized that there was a need in Needham for at-home physical education for kids.
“Because of the question being, ‘what are we going to do?’ We started thinking, ‘how do we help?’” Snyder said.
Since posting on a community Facebook page, they’re now receiving dozens of inquiries from parents who want their help.
“Some people had already hired tutors and they were like, ‘hey, we’re looking for PE teachers too,’” Horenstein said.
Horenstein now works with 8-year-old Lincoln and 6-year-old Ainsley during the week. They do obstacles in the yard, incorporating their minds while running, jumping and simply having fun in the most active way possible.
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“You’re teaching sibling communication, your teaching sharing, you’re teaching all that stuff that can come out of a one-hour session,” Snyder said.
One of the ways they keep fitness fun is turning games into workout challenges, a simple game of tic-tac-toe could lead to an abdominal workout.
“Training kids through the lens of games is really helpful,” Snyder said.
Snyder and Horenstein are working together to come up with a plan to find out where their services are needed. Whether it’s neighborhood training based on age groups or at-home sessions with families.
“They don’t have aspects in school right now, they don’t have camps over the summer, they don’t have gym in school. So, for them to know this is something they need to incorporate into their daily life,” Moran said.
While not everyone can afford this type of one-on-one training, there are ways to keep your kids active with items already in your own home.
Snyder gives tips on how to train your kids on a budget using space you already have in your own home to create fun obstacle courses with basic household items.
Simple interval training during family walks around the block can keep the family fit together. But, it’s all about having fun; you can take simple moves and turn them into contests or challenges during downtime.
“If we can show parents and families a way to be creative with their own family – because we are bringing those skills and we have those skills – so someone who might not think of a corn hole board as fitness, all of a sudden becomes this whole playground,” Snyder said.
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