Get Active, Stay Active!
By Elizabeth Hinders
Keeping children active is important for their healthy growth and development. Every parents wants their child to grow up to be healthy and happy. Being active every day is what will help them to achieve that. There are many ways for kids to get active and stay active, and there are many benefits of them getting active and staying active. It’s crucial to start the habit at a young age.
There are endless benefits to getting your kids to be active. Physical activity promotes many things such as better self-esteem, a stronger hear, social interaction with friends, and better posture and balance. Try to ask your children if they want to be a part of a team or do their own activity. Being on a team not only promotes activity but also social skills. Keeping an activity log can help them keep track of their progress.
It’s important to take necessary precautions when doing physical activities. Your child should make sure to have a warm up and a cool down for each session. They also need to drink lots of water before and after any activities. Always make sure to start a fitness level appropriate for them. Too much, too early can result in possible injury.
There are more ways to get physical activity than more people know. The three main types are endurance, flexibility, and strength. Endurance activities involve continuous movement of large muscle groups. They increase heart rate and make you work up a sweat. They are important for the healthy development of the heart and lungs. Examples would be: swimming, jogging, and dancing. Flexibility activities encourage bending, stretching, and reaching. Flexibility promotes good posture and increases relaxation. Examples would be: gymnastics, yoga, and stretching routines. Strength activities work against a resistance. This builds strength, muscles, and good posture. Examples would be: sit-ups, climbing ladders, and push-ups.
It is extremely important for children to get active and stay active. It doesn’t have to be unenjoyable. Make it a fun activity for everyone. Encourage your children to get up and do something. Now is the time to turn off the TV and unplug the video games. Being active has many benefits, and it will help your children out in the long run.
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