🦘Jump Around ... Jump Around ...

🦘 Jump & Land: Building Power and Control Through Play

When your child leaps off the couch or bounces through the backyard, they’re not just having fun—they’re developing essential skills for a strong, resilient body.

Jumping and landing teaches kids how to generate power and absorb impact—two critical abilities for safe movement, athletic development, and long-term joint health.

And here’s the secret: the landing is just as important as the jump itself.

🧠 Why It Matters

Jump & Land training supports:

• Lower-body strength

• Agility and coordination

• Joint health and impact control

• Spatial awareness and body confidence

It also builds the foundation for more complex skills like sprinting, cutting, tumbling, and even balance recovery.

🧒 Movement by Age Group

▶️ Ages 2–4:

Activity: “Frog Jumps”

• Squat low and jump like a frog.

• Make silly sounds with each leap!

Activity: “Soft Landing Challenge”

• Jump off a low step or soft surface and try to land quietly—like a ninja.

Goal: Learn how to bend knees and absorb impact.

▶️ Ages 5–7:

Activity: “Distance Jumps”

• See how far your child can jump forward (safely), then stick the landing like a gymnast.

• Mark their jump with a sock or chalk and try to beat it!

Activity: “Vertical Countdown”

• Jump up with arms reaching high, then land in a soft squat—count out loud “3-2-1” to help control the landing.

Goal: Build coordination, leg drive, and safe deceleration.

▶️ Ages 8–10:

Activity: “Jump & Turn”

• Jump up and turn 90°, 180°, or even 360°.

• Focus on landing solidly, feet under hips, knees bent.

Activity: “Bounding Steps”

• Jump forward from one foot to the other (like skipping in slow motion).

• Land with balance before launching into the next stride.

Goal: Improve explosive power, direction change, and movement control.

🔬 Science Spotlight

Jumping develops the stretch-shortening cycle of the muscles—critical for producing and controlling explosive movement. Landing builds eccentric strength, which protects joints from injury.

Proper jumping mechanics also support proprioception and reactive agility, helping kids move smarter and safer on the field, court, or playground.

💡 Parent Tip:

Model it with them! Do three rounds of jumping and sticking the landing side by side. Compare your “freeze landings” and celebrate soft, quiet finishes. It’s strength training with a smile.