The fam has been cooped up in the house since Friday night. Agitation, grumpiness, tempers, and tension have increased; physical activity, fun, and giggles have decreased. I was getting concerned.
Luckily, a visit to GameStop cured our cabin fever psychosis.
We are now the proud owners of WiiFit Plus, an "add-on" to the WiiFit game. It was the added "jolt" we needed!! The variety of games, from skateboarding to obstacle course running to marching in a band, offer many ways to move the keester. It even keeps track of approximate calories burned (probably not too accurate, but fun to see nonetheless).
Besides the fun and exercise, it offers some fun ways to learn. There's one game where you have to move your hips to tap all the balls the add up to 10. Sometimes you move two ways, other times you have to move 3 or 4 ways. (Note: With my hips, this could wipe out a ZIP code!) There are negative numbers thrown in the mix as well. The player has a certain amount of time to get as many done as possible.
While doing this (and feeling spasms in my lower back), I imagined this, and other similar games, being used in the classroom. What a fun way of having kids learn math facts! Not only are they reinforcing a concept, they are moving. Standardized testing and other "rigors" are pushing physical education and recess out of a student's day. Games like the Wii can put some activity back in. The more activity, the more a brain develops. Obviously, we have many educational "leaders" who did not have PE in school. I'll save that for another post.
Until next time....Wii away!!
