Top 6 Benefits Of Skipping
Need more ideas to keep growing explorers busy at home? Skipping is a great way to keep them entertained and active. Plus it is free and only requires very little space - perfect for the garden or even indoors.
Skipping, a classic childhood pastime that has been enjoyed for hundreds of generations and can be traced back to 1600AD Egypt where the Egyptians used vines for jumping. No wonder this activity is still enjoyed by many growing explorers as it is not only fun but also has a number of benefits that can help children’s development and progression. So what are the benefits of skipping?
1) Improves coordination
Coordination refers to working arms and legs in a coordinated, effective way. This is incredibly important for children of a young age to complete everyday activities in school and out, from tying up their shoelaces to playing sport. You can get creative with skipping songs and games once your child has mastered the basics and help them develop this even more.
2) Improves fitness
Skipping is a fantastic option for improving cardiovascular fitness and endurance for other sports your little ones may want to practice. The footwork skills, power and agility for explosive movements and quick directional changes can help train for competitive sports such as tennis, football, rugby or netball.
3) Aids brain development
Jumping aids both the right and left sides of your growing explorer's brain. It can improve reading skills, spatial awareness and make them more mentally alert, all very important factors for focus and creativity.
4) Improves the ability to stay calm
By working their brain and body at the same time, skipping can help your young explorers to remain calm in stressful situations. This is very helpful in an educational environment or when working and playing with others.
5) Fun and affordable activity
It’s portable and can be done absolutely anywhere! All you need is a skipping rope and a pair of shoes (or wellies if you're jumping in puddles!). All it needs is a small space so skipping is the perfect way for them to burn off some energy.