By Mel Spenrath (Mel) on Saturday, June 09, 2001 - 04:29 pm: Edit

I am interested in any suggestions that anyone might have regarding adapting a gymnastics class/lesson for obese children (age 6-12)

By Isobel Kleinman on Saturday, July 28, 2001 - 11:28 pm: Edit

I would suggest using the English Gymanstics /Movement Education program which is a thematic approach to exploring gymnastic activity, gymnastic equipment and dance based on Laban's principals of Space, Time, Weight or Flow. The approach allows students to discover what they can do movement wise without fearing failure or injury because they can choose how they want to move or position themselves based on cues you give. For instance, if you have them focus on space, you guide their activity by asking them to be big or small or symmetrical or balanced on different levels or use more parts of their body to support themselves or less, . . get the idea?

As a teacher, your job will be to guide their exploration, teach them to appreciate and improve quality movement and keep them moving.

There should be some good material out there. I know Canadians use the system. I used it with my junior high kids and sometimes, even in the high school. The response was fantastic. I cannot imagine why younger kids cannot work within the range of their own physical limitations and at their own maturity level.