Tips on How to Get Your Child Physically Active

In today’s society, video games and televisions seem to dominate free time for children. We’ve all heard the old stories our parents and even grandparents have told us about when they were children. They had to plow through six miles of snow each way just to be able to get an education. Whether that be true or not, I think it is safe to say that the earlier generations did get more exercize than today’s youth. Now more than ever, children are more overweight and out of shape than they should be. This not only applies to older children, but younger children as well. Many three and four year olds are just not getting the physical activity that they need. What then, are parents and loved ones supposed to do about this? I’ve compiled a list of the top activities that can be to get your little one up and moving. Childhood obesity and even laziness is something everyone in a child’s life needs to help with. Of course, they are only children and depend on their elders to lead them down the right path.

Be a Good Role Model

Let’s face it, children mimic their parents. A parent or caretaker is a child’s whole world. You can’t expect a child to not drink soda if he or she sees mommy drinking can after can every day. The same goes with physical fitness. If a child sees his or her parents being couch potatoes then of course they will think that it is ok to veg out on Spongebob hour upon hour. However, if a child sees lots of physical acitivity then more than likely the child is going to learn that exercize is a normal thing. Everyone has a hard day at work now and then, and vegging out in front of the television seems like the ideal way to rewind and relax. Problem is that children see this behavior and pick up on it. I am not saying television is bad. But if you can set aside at least 30 minutes per day just for physical activity, not only will you be getting in some quality kid time, but you will also be helping out your child/children tremendously.

Make Things Fun!

Children learn more when an activity is fun. In fact, the majority of people learn more when things are entertaining. Demanding children to do jumping jacks and stick to a strict regime may work for a while, but children usually end up resenting the fact that exercize seems more like a task. Gathering the family for a fun racing game or a kick ball game works wonders with children. Not only will they get exercize, but it is also a game. Children love games. Make cleaning fun as well. For example, have your child help pick up in the yard and then reward him or her with a surprise. Children also love surprises. Another fun thing to do bring the kids to the roller skating rink. Ask them to invite friends along and let them skate away. Not only will they learn coordination, but they will getting sufficient exercize as well. Many children have a grown a passion for roller blading later in life because they start skating at a young age.

Dance, Dance, Dance!

I don’t know too many children that do not enjoy music. It starts from infancy with nursery rhymes and continues through out adulthood for most. Get some upbeat music and teach the little ones some new dance routines. Act silly with kids, and have them spin around and jump up and down. Find out what kind of dancing they actually enjoy the most, and sign them up at a local studio. If a little girl loves ballet, there are studios everywhere starting at age three that little girls can enroll in. If a little boy loves hip hop dancing, there has recently been a big explosion of hip hop dance studio openings. Even if your child just doesn’t care for dancing, upbeat music tends to get children in a chipper mood and may get them up and going in other ways.

Sign Up For Local Sports

Signing a child up for a local sports teams not only does wonders for their physique, but also gives them a sense of being a part of a team. It teaches them cooperation and team work. It helps them bond with others and most the time also teaches them healthy competition. If your child is showing an interest in a particular sport, by all means sign them up for the next season of T-ball or whatever the sport may be. If your child hasn’t expressed any interest yet in sports, maybe a little encouragement from parents may be in order. Find something you think your child may like and find out the details. You may just have the next Michael Jordan on your hands. You’ll never know unless you get the kids out there to try.

Don’t Pressure

While exercize is extremely important for children, pressuring children can take a toll and backfire on everything you are trying to accomplish. If a child is constantly chided for not being active enough, they begin to question themselves and may even become more inactive. If you tell a child they eat too much, they could potentially have self esteem problems the rest of their life. Encouragement always works best with children. Of course, they should be told what is right and what is wrong, but pressure to be something that they or not never works. Let children be children, and have fun with them while teaching them that exercize can be enjoyable. Starting physical activity young can set healthy habits for a lifetime.

In Conclusion

I’ve seen the aftermaths of a child not getting enough physical activity. My own four year got in this slump a while back was not in optimal shape for her health. I’ve learned that the best I did for her is to turn the television off and set aside quality time to play with her in a physical setting. Many times parents do not take the time that they should to make sure that their child if getting adequate exercize. It can be done though, and your children with benefit for many years to come. So turn off that television, turn on some on music, and get those kids active!