There is a teachable moment that exists for a child that you won’t find on a Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) plan. But that’s ok, it’s only a plan. You still need to be paying attention.
My 12-year-old nephew can’t do a press-up and he’s curious.
Tall, awkward, and often sitting around playing computer games. He was told to speak to his uncle. Since pushing yourself up in a straight line from the floor requires strength.
But strength is in the tail. Strength masks mobility, stability, and coordination issues until it doesn’t. Then it’s too late. Pushing yourself up in a straight line from the floor first requires mobility, stability, coordination. And only then strength.
Focus on strength and you miss an opportunity to play with reflex stabilisation, diaphragm position during inhale and exhale, and hip mobility. Active, healthy, and curious kids require us to meet their needs of stability, connection, esteem, and only then their purpose.
Why fixate on grabbing the tail when we know nothing about the dog?