Most kids don’t struggle because they’re weak — they struggle because they’re missing foundational movement skills. True physical literacy is built by developing strength, balance, stability, movement, flexibility, and targeting together. When these skills are trained as a system, kids move better, feel more confident, and stay safer as they grow. This approach goes beyond “burning energy.” It teaches kids how to move with control, coordination, and purpose — skills that support learning, sports, and lifelong health. If you’re a homeschool parent who wants movement to actually build skills, not just tire kids out, this is worth a listen and a share.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in youth fitness is worrying about how much weight before mastering how to move. Strength doesn’t start with heavy weights. It starts with control. 👉 Can a child squat with balance? 👉 Can they hinge, push, pull, and rotate with purpose? 👉 Can they control their own body before trying to control external weight? If the foundation isn’t solid, the roof doesn’t matter. Heavier weight without movement mastery just builds instability—not strength. At Stronger Together, we teach: ✔️ Movement before load ✔️ Control before intensity ✔️ Skill before ego Because when kids learn how to move well first, strength comes faster, safer, and lasts a lifetime. 🎥 Watch the video and you’ll see why we focus on building the foundation first. #PhysicalLiteracy #MovementFirst #FoundationBeforeLoad #YouthStrengthTraining #StrongerTogetherHomeschoolAcademy #BuildStrongKids #TeachMovementNotEgo

Foundational Balance & Stability Drill For At HOME Skill Development ⸻ 🔍 What Is This Drill? The Single-Leg Balance Hold asks a child to stand on one foot for as long as possible without losing balance. It looks simple—but it is one of the most powerful indicators of physical literacy, neurological development, and injury resilience in kids. Balance is not just a “fitness skill.” It is a life skill. ⸻ 🎯 Purpose of the Drill This drill develops: • Balance & Stability – Control of the body over a single base of support • Core Strength – Automatic engagement of trunk stabilizers • Joint Control – Foot, ankle, knee, and hip alignment • Proprioception – Body awareness in space • Neurological Development – Brain-to-body communication • Injury Prevention – Especially ankle, knee, and hip injuries 💡 Why it matters: Almost every movement in sports and life—running, jumping, stopping, climbing stairs—happens on one leg at a time. ⸻ 🧠 How to Perform the Drill 1. Stand tall with hands on hips 2. Lift one foot slightly off the ground 3. Keep eyes forward 4. Hold balance as long as possible 5. Switch legs and repeat Stop the timer when: • The lifted foot touches the ground • The standing foot moves • Hands leave hips ⸻ 📏 Objective Scoring Method • Score = Longest hold time (seconds) • Record best time on each leg • Use the lower score for grading (this highlights imbalances) ⸻ 📊 Age-Related Norms (Eyes Open) Age Expected Time 5–6 15–30 sec 7–9 30–45 sec 10–12 45–60 sec 13+ 60+ sec ⸻ 🟩 Skill Progressions (How to Make It Harder) Progress only when the child meets the age norm with good control. Level 1 – Beginner • Eyes open • Hands on hips • Stable surface Level 2 – Intermediate • Arms extended • Head turns left/right • Slight knee bend • Close 1 eye Level 3 – Advanced • Eyes closed • Stand on pillow or folded towel • Catch & toss a soft object Level 4 – Elite / Athletic • Single-leg mini squat holds • Reach forward, sideways, backward • Balance after a small hop

Parents & Coaches—this is an important reminder 👇 Kids do not learn movement by being corrected every single rep. They learn by trying, adjusting, and figuring it out through practice. Minor form differences—when they are NOT injury-risk—are part of the learning process. If we jump in too quickly with: • constant cues • overcorrection • “that’s not perfect” feedback We rob kids of something critical: problem-solving through movement. Movement skills develop the same way reading or math does: 👉 repetition 👉 trial and error 👉 confidence over time Our role isn’t to coach perfection. Our role is to: ✔ keep kids safe ✔ give simple guidance ✔ allow exploration ✔ let skills mature with practice When kids are allowed to move, fail, adjust, and succeed—real skill sticks. Let the skill develop. Let the confidence grow. Let kids figure it out. That’s how strong, capable movers are built—for life.

If there’s one thing we see over and over with kids (and adults), it’s this: Progress doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing the basics consistently. At STHA, we don’t chase random workouts or trends. We build foundational skills that carry over into every area of life. Here’s a simple weekly habit you can start today: 👉 Pick ONE physical skill and practice it for 5–10 minutes, 3–4 days this week. Examples: - Balance on one foot while brushing teeth - Practice a proper squat or hinge pattern - Toss and catch a ball with both hands - Hold a plank with good posture - Practice controlled breathing after movement Why this matters: - Builds neuromuscular coordination - Improves confidence through competence - Reinforces focus and discipline - Reduces injury risk long-term - Creates momentum without overwhelm This is how physical literacy is built: Small skills → repeated often → mastered over time 💬 Community Challenge: Comment below with ONE skill your family will focus on this week. We’ll help you progress it safely and appropriately. Stronger together. Always. 💪