Guiding Kids To Be Physically Active
By : I Gusti Ayu Ratih Winarti
Being physically active means moving enough to breathe heavily, be short of breath, feel warm, and start sweating. Exercise is really vital to the health and well-being not only of adults but of kids, too. Physical activity helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It can help keep a healthy body mass index and reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease in the future. It can help kids to have good quality of sleep as well. Beyond all the benefits to the body, physical activity also can boost kids' mental and behavioural health. It increases their enthusiasm, optimism, boosts self-esteem, school performance, attention and behaviour. It also reduces anxiety, tension and depression and fosters teamwork and friendship when they are a part of an organized sport.
Here are some of the best ways to encourage the kids to get involved in daily physical activity.
Choose the right activities according to the child's age: This point is really important to do as it can prevent the kids from being bored or frustrated while doing the activities.
Give the kids plenty of opportunity to be active: Parents can help the children by providing equipment, signing them up for sports teams and taking them to playgrounds or other active spots.
Keeping the focus on fun: Kids love doing things they really enjoy. They are more likely to keep exercising if they are doing an activity they like. This feeling often makes the kids want to continue the activity and even try others. Turn on music to make the exercise more fun.
Be a role model. The kids watch their parents' habits. If kids see their parents being physically active and having fun, they’re more likely to be active and stay active throughout their lives.
Use competition as a motivator. Make a simple race between parents and the kids. Parents can provide a prize for them as a reward.
Invite the kids in household activities. Give your kids the opportunity to participate in household activities as it will boost their body to move actively. This will also teach them responsibility.
Limit TV and computer time. Offer the children active options like joining an extra class after school or taking sport lesson they enjoy.
Make a plan for vacation with new ways to exercise. Make plans to have exercise vacation with the family such as hiking, off-road cycling, camping or snorkeling. Through exploring new places, parents can guide the kids to appreciate nature as well.
By encouraging the kids to exercise every day using the tips above, parents can help them maintain healthy weight and help prevent diseases. Being physically active everyday might even become the hobbies your family enjoys for years to come. Therefore, choose physical activities your kids will enjoy, stay positive and get moving.
Resources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/active-kids.html
