HEALTHY KIDS
MOTIVATING KIDS
TO BE ACTIVE
Keeping Kids Active
Anyone who ' s seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around . But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active .
As they get older , it can be a challenge for kids to get enough daily activity . Reasons include increasing demands of school , a feeling among some kids that they aren ' t good at sports , a lack of active role models , and busy working families .
HERE ' S SOME AGE- BASED ADVICE :
And even if kids have the time and the desire to be active , parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids did generations ago . So their opportunities might be limited .
In spite of these barriers , parents can instill a love of activity and help kids fit it into their everyday lives . Doing so can set healthy patterns that will last into adulthood .
When kids are active , their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do . Why ? Because regular exercise provides these benefits : pp strong muscles and bones pp weight control pp
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BENEFIT OF BEING ACTIVE
decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
better sleep a better outlook on life
Healthy , physically active kids also are more likely to be academically motivated , alert , and successful . And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age .
WHAT MOTIVATES KIDS ? So there ' s a lot to gain from regular physical activity , but how do you encourage kids to do it ? The three keys are : 1 . Choosing the right activities for a child ' s age : If you don ' t , the child may be bored or frustrated .
2 . Giving kids plenty of opportunity to be active : Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots .
3 . Keeping the focus on fun : Kids won ' t do something they don ' t enjoy .
When kids enjoy an activity , they want to do more of it . Practicing a skill — whether it ' s swimming or riding a tricycle — improves their abilities and helps them feel accomplished , especially when the effort is noticed and praised . These good feelings often make kids want to continue the activity and even try others .
AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES The best way for kids to get physical activity is by incorporating physical activity into their daily routine . Toddlers and preschoolers should play actively several times a day . Children 6 to 17 years should do 60 minutes or more physical activity daily . This can include free play at home , active time at school , and participation in classes or organized sports .
HERE ' S SOME AGE-BASED ADVICE : Preschoolers : Preschoolers need play and exercise that helps them continue to develop important motor skills — kicking or throwing a ball , playing tag or follow the leader , hopping on one foot , riding a trike or bike with training wheels , freeze dancing , or running obstacle courses .
Although some sports leagues may be open to kids as young as 4 , organized and team sports are not recommended until they ' re a little older . Preschoolers can ' t understand complex rules and often lack the attention span , skills , and coordination needed to play sports . Instead of learning to play a sport , they should work on fundamental skills .
School-age : With school-age kids spending more time on sedentary pursuits like watching TV and playing computer games , the challenge for parents is to help them find physical activities they enjoy and feel successful doing . These can range from traditional sports like baseball and basketball to martial arts , biking , hiking , and playing outside .
As kids learn basic skills and simple rules in the early schoolage years , there might only be a few athletic standouts . As kids get older , differences in ability and personality become more apparent . Commitment and interest level often go along with ability , which is why it ' s important to find an activity that ' s right for your child . Schedules start getting busy during these years , but don ' t forget to set aside some time for free play .
Teenagers : Teens have many choices when it comes to being active — from school sports to after-school interests , such as yoga or skateboarding . It ' s important to remember that physical activity must be planned and often has to be sandwiched between various responsibilities and commitments .
Do what you can to make it easy for your teen to exercise by providing transportation and the necessary gear or equipment ( including workout clothes ). In some cases , the right clothes and shoes might help a shy teen feel comfortable biking or going to the gym .
10 / HEALTHY RGV