How to get your kids moving
A recent report found that 87% of
young people get less than the daily recommended minimum of 90 minutes of physical
activity. Getting plenty of exercise helps keep kids healthy, establishes positive
attitudes towards exercise and helps their academic performance. Plus, it's
sheer fun!
But as any parent knows, prying kids
away from computers, video games and TV is no easy feat. What can you do to
encourage your kids to be more active?
Make it fun. Above
all, childhood is all about play. When exercise is fun, kids will enjoy it and
are more likely to do it.
Start young. Involve
kids from a young age. Sign up for active parent-and-tot classes, go for walks
together, kick a ball around and play hide-and-seek and other games.
Get outside. Indoor
play is usually more sedentary. Encourage kids to go outside to play, which
can be a lot more interesting for them, and gets them away from distractions
like computers.
Start slowly. If
your child is overweight or has been inactive for a while, make sure he eases
into activity gradually, starting with 20 minutes a day, so the experience is
more enjoyable.
Kindle an interest. Help
your kids find a sport they enjoy and feel committed to. Even watching a sport
— live, not on TV — may evolve into participating in it.
Include the family.
Make exercise part of regular family events, special occasions and holidays.
Go for a hiking or cycling vacation. Spend a day horseback riding, or go canoeing
when you go to the cottage. Make games a central part of the family reunion
picnic.
Make it social. Encourage
your kids to be active with others. Maybe that means inviting their friends
to go swimming, setting up a skateboard ramp in the driveway, or joining a kids
gym, community centre or YMCA.
Find the comfort zone.
If your child feels embarrassed about exercising or has trouble with some activities,
help her find ways to be active that she's comfortable with. Maybe that's dancing
at home, raking leaves in the backyard, cycling with a friend, playing with
an electronic activity game or walking the dog.
Set the stage. Being
active yourself sets a good example for your kids. When they see that you get
up an hour early to go for a run, or walk to work three times a week, they get
the message that exercise takes a high priority.