The humble skipping rope

In the hands of a child, it is more than an exercise; it’s a lifestyle. You seldom see a child power skipping to the Eye of the Tiger, but you may spy them skipping dreamily down the street; or whilst singing songs, or with with others. But more often than not you’ll see the skipping rope used as a bridal for an equestrian friend, or a trap around another’s waist; perhaps it is spun around the ground to let others jump, or used - for some apparently lucid reason - to tie a bicycle to a tree and a grinning brother. Like it’s close play-cousin the stick, the rope lends itself to imaginative and social play and should be one of the first additions to any play-pros toy stock. If you need any other motivation to get one, bear in mind that many early-years educators use skipping to develop wrist rotation as a pre-cursor to writing.

Any piece of rope will do, though foam covered handles make it easier and window safe. You might want to consider a soft plastic rope which can’t be easily looped around little necks. Perhaps you’d like a counter to bring out that competitive spirit, though counters do seize up if left tied to trees in the rain. We got some good ones when Skip2BFit (use IE for site - grr) came to visit the boys school, but you can find them in all good stockists.

Next, cut/knot to size. Tailor a rope to a child by getting them to stand on the middle, the handles should then be able to tucked under their armpits. Too long and it’ll snag on the ground, too short and it’ll become fiendishly difficult.

Whist the kiddies have their L plates on try to encourage a wrist spining action, rather than the arm flailing variety; it’ll help with speed skipping later and build up handwriting muscles too. Once they’re up to speed try some running and skipping, or moves like the double jump or cross-over. Don’t insist it gets packed away unless you’re scarily protective of your lawn. Ropes are for more than jumping, they’re there to be played with.

Enjoy.

tag... play for today, 5up, 8up, be healthy