Fun Skipping Rope Activities
Photo by Alvin Mahmudov on Unsplash
Children as young as age 3 can begin learning the motions of swinging a jump rope and jumping at the right time. Around the ages of 5 and 6, most kids can swing the jump rope and successfully skip over it several times in a row.
Jumping rope is visually appealing and children are often drawn to the activity early on, but can easily give up if it is too difficult. Some kids may take to it naturally while other struggle. Some helpful coaching, smart sequencing and slow progressions can make a big difference early on. Emphasize effort. Results will follow.
1. Keep activity bouts short, introducing a few activities that last only 3 or 4 minutes each. Leave them wanting more.
2. Give clear specific instructions, step by step. Break each action down into small, achievable chunks, with “frequent small successes”.
3. Keep it simple. The aim is not to have children jumping rope straight away; it is to build confidence, and positive attitudes towards physical activity. Lessons should be clear, simple, and build on prior knowledge.
4. Make it fun. Use of music, goal charts, and games can make it even more fun for young jumpers. And if you are enjoying yourself and staying positive, it is likely your child will, too.
5. Model. When adults attempt new things and set goals for ourselves, our children see that. They learn from the examples we set and learn how to respond to adversity, challenges and successes.
Rene at RopeWorks offers tips for progressive exercises on the way to get 4-6 year olds started learning how to jump rope at: https://learntojumprope.com/young-jumpers-single-jump-rope-progression-for-ages-4-6/
Active for Life offers practical suggestions for introducing jumping and skipping with young children:
1. Choose a rope that’s the right size for your child. Have the child stand in the middle of the rope. The ends of the rope should reach about armpit level. Tie knots on each side of the rope if it’s too long, making sure the knots aren’t too close to the handle.
2. Teach your child the basic jump. Some kids learn more easily if they learn the jump motion without even holding a rope. Let them hold a pretend rope in their hands in front of their body with their hands at their hips and their elbows close to their bodies. This is called the ready position. Get them to swing the imaginary rope over their heads and jump when the imaginary rope hits the ground.
3. If the child wants to try using the real rope, show them how to place the rope behind their body close to their heels as the starting position.
a. Have the child turn the rope over their head and let it simply hit the floor. Practice this motion several times before moving on.
b. Then, get them to turn the rope over their head and step over it as it hits the floor.
c. Finally, when they are comfortable with these steps, let them try to jump over the rope as it hits the floor.
4. Watching you, or an older child, demonstrate jumping rope often helps a child to pick up the skill more easily.
5. If turning the rope and jumping is too hard to coordinate, two adults (or one adult with the other end of a rope tied to a fence or a piece of playground equipment) can turn the rope slowly for the child to practice jumping the rope. Rotate the rope slowly for beginners and remind the child that the moment to jump is as the rope hits the floor.
Once your child has gained confidence with basic jumping rope, then they can try learning some trick jumps, which are outlined in the blog article at https://activeforlife.com/6-cool-tricks-skipping-rope/ with a video demonstrating each one:
· One-footed jumps
· Cross jumps (this one is tricky!)
· Side swing jumps
· Skier jumps (slalom style)
· High-knee jumps
· Double bounce
An extra advantage of learning how to jump rope is that a skipping rope is an easy item to pack up and use at the park, visiting with friends or relatives, or when travelling.