How to Encourage Kids to Be Active
Posted by Dr. Della Parker on March 19, 2019
Physical activity plays a huge part in everyone’s health. Sometimes finding the time to stay physically active, though, can be difficult. Children face the same challenges adults to — they have busy schedules with their school, homework, social life, extracurricular activities, and their hobbies. Not to mention, kids today have far more advanced electronic systems that can tempt them to stay inside more often than not. Still, there are ways to make sure your kid is getting the physical exercise they need.
How can you encourage your kids to be active?
Be a role model. We’ve all heard the “do as I say, not as I do,” line. You probably heard it from your own parents and may have even said it to your own kids. The fact is, though, that kids are more likely to be active if they see you being active. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity in a week. If you’re active for at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week, you’ve reached that goal. Your kids will see this behavior and be more motivated to be active themselves.
Encourage children to join sports or other organized activities. There are lots of different types of sports that your kids can try – soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football, and so on. Encourage them to try things out – they may find it’s more fun than they expected. If your kid doesn’t particularly like sports, encourage them to try things like yoga, cheerleading, or dance.
Get creative, find free physical activities. The drawback to organized physical activities is that they can sometimes be costly. If these activities are not feasible for your family, consider trying the following:
- Get quality time in with your kids at a local park or playground.
- When the weather is nice, encourage your kids to play outside with their siblings or neighbors. If you’re not busy with household chores, go out with them to play catch, tag, or ride bikes together.
- When the weather turns rainy, find appropriate activities for inside the house. Let them put on a show for you or chase you around with a water gun.
- Exercise together in the house as a family. You could try doing yoga or a workout together or make it fun and have a dance party.
Help your child find their passion. If your child finds something they’re passionate about they will be all the more eager to keep at it. Whether it’s a sport, dancing, or hiking — anything that keeps them active is good. They don’t have to be the best at their chosen activity, they just have to enjoy it.
Emphasize safety. There’s a certain amount of risk involved with most physical activities, but you can minimize that risk by discussing safety with your children. Make sure they aren’t over doing it and that they have the necessary safety equipment for their chosen activity. Talk to the pediatrician about any precautions you should take and any signs or symptoms you should watch out for.
Don’t’ skip regular appointments with your child’s doctor. As always, regular visits to the doctor are an incredibly important part of maintaining health – especially for children. At Stellar Health & Wellness you’ll find experienced and caring doctors prepared to help you in any way they can. The professionals at Stellar Health & Wellness are ready to give you the care you need and deserve. Our staff will work in tandem with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms, concerns and lifestyle. The team at Stellar Health & Wellness can put you on the path the a happier, healthier you. When you are focus on your wellness, call Stellar Health & Wellness at 503-344-6631.