- Check the space and the kit.
- Get your child's attention first.
- Show it from two sides.
- Say one thing only.
- End on one that works.
Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.
Is the space marked?
- The tape line
- An en garde mark for the front foot
- A wall target
A wooden spoon or a rolled newspaper; the tape line.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Hold the spoon handle between the thumb and the side of the first finger; wrap the other fingers loosely round it. Point the end at the wall.
- Stand with both heels on the tape line, a shoulder-width apart; front foot pointing forward, back foot turned across.
- Bend both knees and keep the weight even between the feet, back straight.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Hold the spoon or newspaper lightly between thumb and first finger, the other fingers wrapped loosely, the tip toward the target.
- Feet on the tape line about shoulder-width apart.
- Front foot pointing forward, back foot across.
- Knees bent, weight even. Hold.
How much: 10 holds of 10 seconds
Loose fingers
Statues
The rules
Freeze in en garde; the steadiest wins.
- Both take the en garde stance on the line
- Count slowly to 10
- The judge (you, or the other child) watches for any wobble, straight knees or a hard grip
- 5 rounds
Fair play: A grown-up holds for 20 seconds.
- Points
- 1 point for each 10-second hold with no wobble; 1 point for bent knees all the way through.
- Fouls
- No points that round: straight knees; a tight fist round the handle; the feet off the line
- Win
- More points after 5 rounds.
Child
Grown-up
- 4
- 7
- 10
Hold en garde for 10 seconds without a wobble, 3 times.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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