Keeping kids active in the age of technology is no easy feat. But a physically active kid is a healthy kid, and their good fitness can help combat obesity, heart problems, and lung problems.
Here are some tips to make sure your children get enough physical activity and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Start early
If you enroll your young child in a fitness program or youth center, they will always connect physical fitness with fun activities like swimming and sports.
A specialist from the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati says they will also learn positive values like teamwork and good sportsmanship, encouraging them to share their energy with other children. This way, you don’t have to wait for school to teach your kids the value of physical fitness.
Keep it interesting
Kids may groan when their gym teacher announces push-ups or running a mile in class, so don’t bore them with repetitive movement or monotonous exercises.
Play some fun music during walking or running, allow silly games of tag or Simon Says, and don’t be afraid to let them play outside and get a little dirty. If kids find fitness fun, they’ll do it all on their own.
Don’t tire them out
Adults may have the attention span for an hour-long run or yoga session, but it’s practically impossible for kids to pay attention for longer than ten or fifteen minutes.
Break up the physical activity into small sections during the day to keep their energy up. Short bursts of exercise like jumping jacks, jump-roping, and swimming races keep kids’ energy high and their minds sharp.
Warm-ups and cool-downs before and after bouts of exercise are also vital.
Ensure other healthy habits
Good fitness doesn’t just come from exercise. Offer kids healthy meal and snack options to keep their energy up throughout the day.
Fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts are kid-friendly and will ensure that their bodies are taken care of. Also, limit screen time. Setting limits on TV, computer, and mobile device use will encourage kids to stay active and go outside.
These habits combined will make it more likely for your child to stay fit all by themselves.
Keeping your kids fit year round may be a daunting task, but it isn’t an impossible one. If kids find something fun, they’ll want to keep doing it.
By making physical activity and healthy choices interesting for kids, you’re ensuring that they find fitness to be a lifestyle, not a chore.
About the author:
Emma is a writer currently residing in Boston. She often writes on family finance and education. She can be found on Google+ and Twitter.
CMO Contributor
Latest posts by CMO Contributor (see all)
- Can Blogger Mommies Stay on Top? 7 Ways to Get Your Blog on the Right Track - November 25, 2015
- Fitness Is a Family Affair: Tips for Raising Active Kids - June 3, 2015
- How to Become an Accountant - May 30, 2015
[…] Watching children on a playground is amazing—most are just naturally physically active and always moving around. […]