“High Jump and Limbo.” Yes, it could be the title of a new detective series on television. It would probably star Javier Sotomayor, the world’s high jump record holder at 8 feet 1/2 inches, and Dennis Walston, the world’s Limbo record holder at 6 inches. (6 inches!) The pilot episode would have Javier and Dennis chasing down a would-be suspect by jumping over—and going under—cars trapped in an L. A. traffic jam.
“High Jump and Limbo,” however, is not a detective show, but are two basic athletic endeavors, human challenges that carry remarkable records that are testaments to our species’ capabilities.
The equipment is the same for both: Some boxes and a broomstick do just fine. The object is also the same for both: Pass the vertical plane of the bar without knocking it off. The similarity ends there, however. It’s:

1. High versus low
2. Explosion versus control
3. Over versus under
4. Strength versus flexibility
5. Bend versus roll (or flop, dive, hurdle, and scissors)
6. Run, jump, and fall versus creep

As an added benefit, these activities prepare your child for many varied careers, including the following:

FIREFIGHTER:

• SHIMMY under the smoke level, where oxygen still exists.
• JUMP over burning debris.

ARTIST:

• BEND backwards to paint chapel domes, such as the Sistine.
• HURDLE pews after an angry mob deems the ceiling obscene.

PLUMBER:

• SQUEEZE under cupboards to fix leaking pipes.
• VAULT over furniture to leave customer’s home after a bill disagreement.

EXTERMINATOR:

• BEND low under houses to spot termites.
• LEAP high to clear the large cockroaches.

If your child doesn’t quite measure up to the physical demands of these careers, he or she can always take a shot at writing a television series, and I’ve got the perfect idea . . . .

Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006 at 10:31 am and is filed under 03-05 yrs: Preschooler, 05-12 yrs: Schooler, Crafts and Activities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.