How to keep your Child Physically Active: The lack of physical activity among children is a global issue. In many countries, children are not getting enough physically active, which can lead to long-term health problems. This is a concern because physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
A lack of time and access to safe places to engage in physical activity is a common barrier for children across the world. Additionally, the growing use of electronic devices and screen time is leading to a decline in physical activity among children worldwide.
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In some countries, there are also economic barriers that limit access to organized sports or physical activity classes. The cost of equipment or participation fees can be a challenge for families with limited financial resources.
Engaging a child in physical activity is the greatest way to keep them healthy and well-being.
Few ideas to keep Your Child Physically Active
Encourage Outdoor Activities
Encouraging outdoor activities is a great way to promote physical activity among children. Outdoor activities not only provide children with an opportunity to engage in physical activity but also have many other benefits, including improved mental health, socialization, and exposure to nature.
Here are some ways to encourage outdoor activities among children:
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Plan family outings: Plan regular family outings to parks, hiking trails, or other outdoor locations. This is a great way to spend time together as a family while promoting physical activity.
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Limit screen time: Encourage children to spend less time on electronic devices and more time outside. Limiting screen time can help children develop a stronger connection to the outdoors and encourage them to engage in physical activity.
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Provide opportunities for outdoor play: Provide opportunities for children to play outside by setting up a backyard play area or organizing outdoor games and activities. This can be as simple as providing a ball for children to play with.
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Join organized sports: Encourage children to join organized sports teams such as soccer, basketball, or baseball. This is a great way for children to develop their skills while also engaging in physical activity.
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Explore nature: Take children on nature walks or hikes to explore the natural environment. This can help children develop an appreciation for nature while also promoting physical activity.
By encouraging outdoor activities, we can promote physical activity among children and help them develop healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. It is important to provide children with safe and accessible outdoor spaces and to make physical activity a fun and enjoyable experience for them.
Limit Screen Time
Limiting screen time has become an important issue in promoting physical activity and healthy habits
It’s important to limit the amount of time children spend looking at screens, like TVs, computers, and phones. Too much screen time can be bad for their health and cause problems with sleep, learning, and behavior. To help, parents can set clear rules and be good examples by limiting their own screen time.
They can also encourage their children to be active and do other things like play games or do crafts instead of always looking at screens. It’s also a good idea to check how much time their children spend looking at screens and have some times when screens aren’t allowed, like at dinner or before bed. This can help their children grow up healthy and happy.
Physically active by Signing up for Sports or Classes
Signing up for sports or classes is a great way to encourage physical activity and promote healthy habits among children. By participating in sports or classes, children can learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun while being physically active.
- Regular exercise helps to improve physical fitness, reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases, and promote better sleep and mental health.
- Teamwork and social skills are developed by working together with other children towards a common goal.
- Leadership skills can be learned and practiced in a safe and structured environment.
- Lifelong habits of physical activity and healthy living can be developed at a young age.
- Children can learn new skills and have fun while being physically active.
- Sports and classes provide a regular schedule of exercise that is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Participation in sports or classes can lead to a healthier and happier life.
- Parents can encourage their children to sign up for sports or classes by finding activities that their children are interested in and allowing them to choose which activities they want to participate in.
Signing up for sports or classes is a great way to promote physical activity and healthy habits among children. By providing opportunities for regular exercise, teamwork, social skills, and lifelong habits, parents can help their children lead a healthier and happier life.
Incorporate Physical Activity into Daily Routines
Taking physical activity into daily Routines will encourage children to be more active and will promote healthy habits. By making physical activity a part of everyday life, children can develop a love for movement that will last a lifetime.
Here are some ways that parents can incorporate physical activity into daily routines:
- Go for school by walk or bike: Instead of driving, encourage children to walk or bike to go to school. This not only provides a chance for physical activity but also reduces carbon emissions and helps the environment.
- Active chores: Turn daily chores into opportunities for physical activity. For example, vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping can be a great workout for the arms and legs. Encourage children to help with these chores and make it fun by turning up some music or having a race to see who can finish their tasks first.
- Family walks or hikes: Take a family walk or hike after dinner or on weekends. This is a great way to spend quality time together while being physically active. Explore local parks or nature trails to make it more interesting and engaging.
- Outdoor play: Encourage children to spend time playing outside. This can be as simple as playing catch or kicking a ball around, or more elaborate games like tag or capture the flag. Outdoor play not only provides physical activity but also promotes creativity, imagination, and social skills.
- Screen time breaks: Set a limit on screen time and encourage children to take breaks every 30-60 minutes to stretch or do a quick exercise. This can be something as simple as jumping jacks or lunges.
There are many other ways that we can incorporate physical activities into our daily routines like Take the stairs instead of the elevator, Standing desks or active seating, household games like jumping jacks or running in place, pretending to be animals that crawl, jump, or hop can be a fun way to get moving.
Be a Role Model by being Physically Active
Being a role model is a powerful way to encourage children to engage in physical activity. Children often look up to and imitate the behaviors of their parents and other significant adults in their lives. Therefore, setting a positive example by being physically active yourself can inspire your child to do the same. Here are some ways to be a role model for physical activity:
- Make physical activity a priority: Show your child that physical activity is important to you by making it a priority in your own life. This could mean scheduling time for exercise, participating in active hobbies, or choosing to walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible.
- Include your child in your physical activity: Involve your child in your own physical activity routines, whether it’s going for a walk together or playing a game of catch. This not only sets a positive example but also provides an opportunity for quality time together.
- Try new activities together: Encourage your child to try new physical activities by doing them together. This could be anything from trying a new sport to going on a hike. This shows your child that physical activity can be fun and enjoyable.
- Avoid negative attitudes towards physical activity: Avoid complaining about physical activity or using negative language when talking about it. Instead, use positive language and highlight the benefits of being physically active.
By being a positive role model for physical activity, parents can encourage their children to develop healthy habits and a lifelong love of physical activity.
The importance of being physically active is crucial for children’s overall health and well-being. Parents can play a vital role in encouraging children to engage in physical activity by being a positive role model, incorporating physical activity into daily routines, signing up for sports or classes, encouraging outdoor activities, and limiting screen time.
Parents can encourage their children to be physically active by trying new activities together, avoiding negative attitudes towards physical activity, and making it a priority in their own lives. By promoting physical activity, parents can help their children develop healthy habits and a lifelong love of physical activity.
