5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Get Active
Parenting is not easy. And today, the number of challenges parents face in keeping their children physically active and healthy seems to be increasing over time. But as childhood obesity continues to grow, more efforts must be made to encourage, educate, and support an active lifestyle for your children.
WHY SHOULD CHILDREN START YOUNG?
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Develop strong bones and muscles
- Have more self-confidence
- Enjoy higher cognitive performance (memory, focus)
- Maybe less at risk of illness later in life
- More likely to remain physically active in adulthood
WHAT ARE THE 5 WAYS TO GET STARTED?
Parents can play a significant role in making their children more physically active.
1. Make Exercise Fun
Usually, the main reason why children participate in physical activities is for fun. Typically, at their young age, they will not be motivated by the same things that encourage adults when they exercise (to lose weight, or to attain a specific physical aesthetic, etc.). Please enable them to find activities they would like to do and participate in.
2. Incorporate Physical Activity into Daily Routine
Small-scale physical activity during the day is as significant as a consistent 60-minutes of play. Here are some ways to sneak a workout in their daily life:
- Ride a bicycle to the park
- Take them on an outdoor walk
- Park some distance away and walk together
- Let them help you with age-appropriate chores
3. Keep Electronic Temptations to a Minimum
It is crucial to set up an electronic-free time for you and your children when you do fun and activities together. Avoid letting your children have laptops or TV in their room, ad keeping an eye on their electronic time. According to the research, children should not spend more than one to two hours of total screen time per day.
4. Get Help with Household Chores
Encourage your child to engage in active outdoor chores, such as watering plants, scraping leaves, weeding, sweeping the yard, or cleaning the garage. Make housework fun with cheerful music, and join in to do it as a family.
5. Proper Nutrition
Children need the right nutrition to stay healthy and have the energy required to get the recommended amount of play every day. Although adequate nutrition is not an activity in the ordinary sense, it does support a healthy lifestyle. They should eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and drink plenty of water. Encourage your kids to participate in meal planning and cooking. The more they participate, the more likely they will support a healthy lifestyle.
The Takeaway
Physical activity, along with a well-balanced diet, forms the basis for a healthy and active life. It is even more critical for obese kids. One of the most important things parents can do is to encourage their kids to develop healthy habits early in life. It's never too late to start. Ask your child's doctor about aids for living a healthy life today.
If you're looking for fun activities and exercise programs for your kids and teens reach out to us at Gantry Kids & Teens in New York. We're looking forward to working with you and your kids. Whether a novice or elite athlete, we got you covered with classes, after school, camps, the occasional Saturday night, private training or even celebrating a special event. We’re Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today!
Contact us today.
