Fitness at Home: How To Create A Fantastic Homeschool PE Routine

Here at Hey Kanga, we’re dedicated to creating a platform that aims to get students moving joyfully and expressively, allowing educators to flourish. We’re a wellbeing platform that’s transforming the way we teach kids. In particular, we wish to present the importance of regular activity, mindfulness, staying healthy and overall well-being. 

So, Hey Kanga, we hear you ask, how do you do this? 

We provide home and in-school educators with incredible videos that are easy-to-access and digestible for many different skill levels and abilities. 

They have been curated alongside the physical education syllabus, so you’ll always be safe in the knowledge that our fantastic activities align with the national US curriculum. 

From five-minute brain breaks to fully planned PE lesson tasks, Hey Kanga can help you create an amazing learning environment that can be transformed into a dance class, a yoga session or even a high-intensity workout! With our videos, Hey Kanga turns any teacher into an active learning expert. 

This page will be specifically focused on creating fun fitness activities for home educators and how to create a productive homeschool PE routine. We know it can be overwhelming to come up with creative ways to add engaging sports activities into home education sessions. That’s why we've set up a handy guide to help you build a beneficial fitness routine for kids who are home-educated. Without further ado, let’s dig in!

Step 1 - Set clear goals to follow and work alongside when partaking in fitness activities at home. 

When it comes to fitness at home, it’s important to create a homeschool PE routine that can be followed and restructured depending on the season or resources available. This means home educators should set clear learning goals and guidelines for kids to follow. You should begin by understanding the current fitness level of your student. 

Consider important variables such as flexibility, endurance, strength or coordination levels. Other variables are reliant on context, such as age, height and even the level of space. Once you’ve set the goals, consider the objectives for fitness at home and define them. Kids may wish to improve their overall fitness levels by improving their stamina or strength. Others might want to focus on mastering a specific skill or working on their favourite exercise until they feel confident. Having this clarity is essential for fitness at home, as the goals can be set accordingly and everyone will feel confident and clear about the direction they wish to go in during their home education. 

Step 2 - Make sure to add variety to your sessions, creating a fun and engaging learning environment!

It’s important to add lots of different types of exercises to your fitness sessions. Kids will stay more engaged and more energised if they have lots of different fitness activities to take part in. For different kinds of exercise, read on! 

Cardio -

Cardiovascular exercise is extremely important for getting the blood pumping and for strengthening the heart and the lungs. There are loads of examples of cardio, but our personal favourites for fitness at home include jumping rope, dancing or gymnastics. We have a range of personalised classes taught by certified gymnastic instructors to teach your pupils core gymnastic skills that grow in complexity each year. We also offer DrumFIT cardio-drumming, which focuses on popular rhythm-based routines using drumsticks and yoga balls. DrumFIT enables a fun, active lifestyle for people of all ages and abilities. With programming for schools, seniors, instructors, gyms and YOU – wherever you are! DrumFit is celebrated globally as the #1 provider of cardio-drumming programming.

Flexibility and Mobility -

Stretching, yoga or pilates can be fun for flexibility and mobility. Taking part in the activities can prevent kids from getting injured and help them connect with a state of mindfulness. Our tailored activities also promote balance and coordination. Stretching encourages blood flow throughout the muscles, which increases the range of motion and flexibility for children. It’s essential for kids to work on these important skills, especially as there are so many different physical and emotional benefits. Fitness at home can also encourage kids to refocus and settle, and you can use our mindfulness meditation resources to do just that! 

Skill development -

Our step-by-step core activities encourage kids to progress over the year, so you can watch your students thrive in their home learning environment. You may wish to encourage students to learn a specific dance routine, try their hand at rollerblading or work on their flexibility skills. However you choose to do it, Hey Kanga can provide helpful videos to teach fundamental fitness skills that are relevant and easily-digestible.

Step 3 - Include games and challenges in your fitness activities. 

We know it can sometimes be difficult to get creative with fitness activities, so that’s where Hey Kanga comes in. We provide curriculum-led, holistic lesson plans that include fantastic challenges to present to kids. With everything included in our packs, you’ll feel prepared and ready to take on any fitness activities! 

Hey Kanga also automatically tracks video minutes and counts up the different kinds of movement that are taking place. You can also report on any progress or changes in fitness or learning goals. Why not take advantage of home education and visit the local nature trails and parks to have a change of scenery? You could create a circuit with obstacle courses or design a scavenger hunt. 

You can take a look at our recommended 5 PE Games For Kids At Home And How They Can Help Little Ones Flourish!

Step 4 - Celebrate achievements and reward consistency! 

Here at Hey Kanga, we’re very keen to encourage fitness wins at home, however big or small they may be. When it comes to home education, it’s essential for kids to get the same rewards they may have received at school. Whether this is through compliments, positive reinforcement, special stickers, little gifts or a progress tracker for them to fill in, kids will subconsciously prime themselves to continue to achieve more. When we achieve something great, we activate the ‘psychology of achievement’ which is when feelings of happiness are triggered and dopamine is released. So, motivating kids to take part in fitness at home and excel in their activities will encourage them to continue to achieve and succeed. Healthy habits like this can have an incredible impact on mental health, especially because these little practices can create long-term self-esteem and reassurance levels. If you’d like to check out some brilliant celebratory resources, check out Twinkl’s wide range of certificates and achievement boards! 

Step 5 - Contextualize fitness at home and encourage kids to reflect on their experiences.

Teaching kids about the importance of creating an effective fitness routine can encourage many brilliant long-term habits. As pupils progress up the educational ladder, they will understand the context of body mechanics, the importance of warm-up and cool-down stretches and they will understand the benefits of regular exercise. Their energy levels and understanding of wellness will also be enhanced with Hey Kanga, and you can also explore topics such as healthy nutrition and the science behind fitness. Contextualizing fitness at home could be a brilliant plenary task for kids or as a reflection topic. 

And there we have it! Creating a homeschool PE routine that is varied, goal-oriented, and most importantly, fun, is essential for educators. With Hey Kanga, you can promote the importance of physical health and instil a love for fitness. Our library of over 1,000 videos will keep your lessons adaptable and full of variety. 

So, what are you waiting for? Spark a lifelong love of exercise and healthy habits, and check out our free trial for new users.

This gives educators the opportunity to explore the platform and experience its benefits before making a commitment. The free trial allows you to see how Hey Kanga can enhance your classroom wellbeing activities!

FAQs

What is Hey Kanga?

Hey Kanga is a platform that aims to get everybody moving joyfully, expressively, and effectively, while helping children discover their full potential. It provides educators with a range of tools, including quick movement breaks, dances, mindfulness meditation, fitness games and comprehensive physical education curriculums!

Is Hey Kanga suitable for homeschooling families?

Yes, we have lots of homeschool families who are enjoying the Hey Kanga platform with their homeschooling students. 

Is Hey Kanga part of my Twinkl account?

Although Hey Kanga is part of the TwinklHive, Hey Kanga is a separate company from Twinkl and therefore subscriptions are not currently linked to your Twinkl subscription.

Where are your videos hosted?

All our content is hosted on AWS, one of the industry’s most reliable and secure infrastructure systems.

Is there a free trial available for Hey Kanga?

Yes, Hey Kanga offers a free trial for new users. This gives teachers the opportunity to explore the platform and experience its benefits before making a commitment. The free trial allows you to see how Hey Kanga can enhance your classroom wellbeing activities.