Massive changes on how activities of children have taken placed over the years. Kids today are not as active as they were twenty years ago. Most of the children of today have become sedentary as they sit to play video games and watch television. This is a sad truth that contributed much to children becoming obese. There is a need then to engage children in more physical activities to avoid obesity and to keep their growing body in tip top condition.
Though activities like watching television, playing video or computer games cannot be prevented since this is part of modernization; it is a good idea to set limits among children for the aforementioned activities. By placing limits on their sedentary activities, your children will be forced to find other activities to engage in. Similarly, you may want to get your children video games that require them to move their bodies to play. There are some great games available that will have your child dancing and even exercising.
Aside from setting limits on the usage of these technologies, remember that as parent, you have a great role in forming the habit of physical fitness among your children. If you want to promote fitness for your kids, you need to set a good example. Have an exercise routine and stick to it. Let your kids see you exercising. You have more influence on your children than you think you do.
Discover and nurture what interests your child the most. If your child likes soccer or basketball, sign him up for a team. If your daughter has an interest in horseback riding, enroll her up for horseback riding lessons. Do not push your child into a sport that he or she does not want to do. This will send a negative message to your child.
Encourage children to become active in their earliest years. Be silly around your little ones. Show them how much fun being active can be. Jump around to music, hop like a bunny or just play musical chairs with them.
Engaging your children to household chores is another great idea to get your kids more active. However make the chores more fun by turning them into a competition. See who can pull the most weeds in the garden or who can get their room clean the fastest. Making the chores fun will encourage the kids to help out around the house and become more active.
Another way of involving children to become more active is when it is their birthday. Why not schedule a party in which they will be doing something active. You may want to take the kids at the birthday party bowling or swimming at the local YMCA. If you have a large yard, you could have a game of scavenger hunt or even a game of kickball.
Lastly, make it a habit to have a family night of activity once a week. Assign one member of the family to think of what the activity will be for the week. Challenge each member of the family to come up with something more creative than the previous week.
Fitness for kids is not that difficult to incorporate into your family life if you use a little imagination. When the whole family gets involved, everyone will benefit from being more active.
RESOURCES
KidsHealth: Nutrition and Fitness Center
KidsHealth: Fitness for Kids Who don’t Like Sports
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Fitness for Kids
Military Fitness Center: Fitness for Kids
KidsHealth: Why Exercise is Cool
PBSParents: Motivating Kids to Get Fit
Arizona University: Evaluating the National Outcomes Children