HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR KID TO BE MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE?

May 31, 2021 /

Written by Liza John 

Ask any kid how they go about their days and I’m sure the answer will be similar to the following: binge watching Peppa Pig, hours of online classes, playing video games and social media. The global pandemic has forced us to spend most of our time indoors and in front of electronic media. We’ve been fighting Corona for over a year now and with its new variant strains, a return to the normal seems impossible with each passing day. 

Spending long hours indoors at a stretch, moving only to get a pack of chips or Coke isn’t exactly healthy. But kids being kids will not understand the effects of this unhealthy lifestyle. So how do you encourage your kids to be more physically active? Let’s find out. 

Show The Way 

Model the lifestyle you want your kids to follow and give out positive messages about being physically active. Being physically active yourself will keep you healthy while showing to your child that you are not a Mr/Ms. All-bark-no-bite. Praising and encouraging your child when they take up a new physical activity will also help. Make time every day to have a good active playtime with your child. 

Stock Up on Toys That Require Physical Activity 

Roller blades, jump ropes, tennis balls, soccer balls promote physical activity whilst keeping it fun. These toys along with a good reward system will ensure that your kids stay active. Rewards act as positive reinforcement that makes your child develop a liking towards staying active. 

Talk To You Child 

Emphasize the importance of staying active by talking to your child. Get your child excited about being physically active. Hype it up! Tell them how good it makes you feel, how it keeps you healthy and how fun it is to exercise. Do not forget about the importance of good nutrition and healthy foods. 

DO NOT EVER BODY SHAME. Teasing or shaming your child will have long term repercussions on your child’s mental health. If you can’t seem to be able to convey the message properly, get your child’s doctor to explain it to them.  

Make It a Routine 

Establishing a regular routine will ensure that you and your child meet the amount of recommended physical activity every day. Incorporate physical activity as you would with studies, chores, and mealtimes.  

Make it a point to set a limit on screen time and keep a tab on your child’s usage of electronic media. Create electronic free zones in your house and avoid installing Televisions or PCs where you can’t keep an eye on them.  

Be Age Appropriate in Choosing Activities 

Don’t expect your three-year-old to bench 100lbs. Now that was an exaggeration, but you get the point. Bear in mind that kids are usually not ready for competitive games until they are around ten, so engage them in fun, non-competitive activities instead.  

Children who try to specialize in a sport early may get tired of it and end up being easily injured. So rather than encouraging your child to play baseball because you were on the school baseball team, expose your child to a wide array of activities. 

Let Your Child Choose 

Instead of doing what you love, ask your kids what activity they’d like to do. Depending on your child’s preferences you may end up taking a stroll down the road or maybe on a small trek or at the local park. Wherever you go, be sure to maintain COVID protocols and try to avoid crowded places. If the local park is crowded, give your child other options to choose from and maybe a treat to make it up to them. 

Making Screen Time Active 

Going outside to play does not seem to be a viable option in these pressing times. However, we can use technology to our advantage, instead of playing a conventional FPS shooter game or a car racing game, give them interactive video games that need physical activity like tennis, cricket, or football.  

Bottom Line 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children need at least 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity every day. Start from an early age and practice what you preach to instil a love for physical activity in your child.