Flexibility is an important aspect of fitness and overall wellness. It’s important for children to be flexible so they can perform well in sports and activities like dance classes, but it can also help them stay limber and avoid injuries both now and later in life. Here are a few simple ways to help your child achieve and maintain flexibility. 

How to Help Your Child Become More Flexible

1. Do Sun Salutations

Sun salutations are dynamic, full-body stretches that help to warm up the muscles and get blood flowing before an activity. They’re often done at the beginning of yoga classes, though they’re also performed in some dance classes, too. Not only do they stretch the muscles out, but they also help to connect movement to breath, which can be helpful for sports performance and as a grounding exercise.

Practice this sequence with your child by starting in a standing position, then stretching up tall with your hands overhead while breathing in. When breathing out, bend at the waist and reach for the toes. With your hands on the ground, place one foot back behind you, followed by the other, to get into a plank position. Gradually lower your body to the floor, then push up so your chest is elevated. Take a breath in, then push into your hands and press your hips back into a downward dog position while exhaling. Step forward again and rise up to complete the sequence.

2. Try Walking Stretches 

Dynamic stretches are ideal before sports practices, dance classes, and even free outdoor play. They stretch the muscles out while also elevating the heart rate to prepare for exercise. One variation to try is walking lunges. Have your child step out with one foot into a lunge, until their knee is bent into a 90-degree angle. Repeat with the other side, walking in and out of a lunge position. 

Another dynamic walking stretch is the toe kick. Have your child step out with the right foot, then kick the left foot up high, into your right hand. Step back down, and repeat with the left foot. 

3. Practice the Butterfly Sit

Children tend to do well with the butterfly sit, since they’re used to sitting on the ground. This static, or idle, stretch is similar to sitting criss-cross style, but the soles of the feet are placed together. Then, the knees are dropped gently downwards, and the head bows forward if the child’s mobility allows for it. Encourage your child to hold the position for 30 seconds to stretch the hips.

One of the best ways to nurture your child’s flexibility and overall fitness is to enroll them in dance classes. For hip-hop, ballet, and other children’s classes in Sarasota, FL, turn to Stage Door Studios. This center provides fun and engaging classes with an emphasis on safety. Find out more about schedules and registration online or by calling (941) 921-1600.