How To Keep Kids Active
Having active, healthy children is not only important for their growth and development, it’s also a way of them coping with stress. Given the uncertainty of life with Covid-19 literally impacting the whole world, our little people have more questions than ever and are feeling the anxiety just as much as adults are. By establishing healthy habits early in life, it will become part of the ‘norm’ for them for the rest of their lives.
Being physically active promotes healthy growth and development, better self-esteem, stronger bones and muscles, a stronger heart, social interaction with friends, better focus and concentration to name just a few.
Here’s a list of ways to keep kids active.
- Limit screentime. This one is obvious but could be the hardest of all for some parents. If possible, limit screentime every day. Sitting on a device means sitting down – the more we move, the better we feel. So do whatever you have to do to get them off their device and outside for some fresh air.
- Role model. If your kids see you being physically active, they’re more likely to be active too. Whether it be heading out the door for a walk, run or bike ride, or doing your own HIIT workouts in your lounge at home, if kids see you prioritising exercise they’ll learn that it’s part of every day life.
- Expose them. By making things available to kids they’ll be able to find out what they enjoy. Have balls around, get them a bike, scooter or skateboard, have rackets or bats available. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have some basic equipment for them to play with. An assortment of different sized balls is a great start!
- Be patient and don’t force it. Try to avoid forcing your kids into something that they don’t enjoy. And definitely avoid reliving your past through your kids! Just because you were a great cricketer or runner doesn’t mean to say your kids will be, so avoid pushing them down that path if it’s one they really don’t want to go down. The last thing you want is a resentful kid!
- Make it part of daily life. If you can walk somewhere instead of drive, do it! Choose the healthier, active option whenever you can so that the kids learn that being active is just what we do.
- Make it positive. Being active is fun so you want to keep it that way. Never use it as a punishment! Doing that will definitely put them off and make them see it in a different light.
Being active and healthy is a daily thing, not a weekly one. Incorporate it into everything you do so your kids are establishing healthy habits for life.
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