Tips to keep your kids physically active
Is your child getting enough physical exercise?
We all know how active kids are! They hate to sit still for long, at least most of them. Very few children do not want to run around the house or in the garden, and given a chance, they could do this the whole day.
With the advent of entertainment in the form of television and video games, the level of physical activity has reduced immensely. This is a point of concern. What with malls, and pizzas and burgers, parents have a tough time keeping their kids interested in sports and other hobbies, and also keep them lean and active.
There is pressure to finish their lessons and go to tuitions, and whatever time is left after that is dedicated to TV and video games. After all this, where will a child get time to play? I remember my parents used to forcibly shoo us off the house the moment the sun would dip around the horizon. Of course, I did not always like it because I wanted to keep reading and my sister didn’t want to miss her favourite cartoons but now, I realize the importance. What I wouldn’t give for those carefree couple of hours just to run around without a care in the world!
As far as I know, kids hate to sleep in the afternoons, and love to play in the evenings. We can work around our and our children's schedules to involve them in various kinds of physical activities.
Let your child feel free: It is important that as parents, we do not always stop our children from running in the house. Believe me, it keeps them active when they jump around, climb up the walls and doorways or hop around the house. Of course, we need to monitor them so they don’t get hurt or break anything in the house.
Play time: If you are at home in the evenings, encourage them to go out and play instead of watching TV or playing video games. If need be, accompany them, run with them, and also leave them on their own for some time but be in the vicinity.
Sports & hobbies: All children should play at least one sport and enroll in at least one hobby, ideally, so should we. Swimming, running, cricket, tennis, football, skating, drawing, music, dance are some of the popular activities. You just have to choose the activity your child is interested in.
Family time: If it means you need to spare sometime to play with them, do that. It will strengthen family bond and keep everyone fit and healthy.
Knowledge: Encourage your child to know more about sports and hobbies of their interest, read related books and watch videos to get them and keep them interested.
In school: Ensure that your child participates in school sports day and actively plays sports. Believe me, being active is a state of mind that extends into the field and eventually in life.
Even if you cannot find time everyday for playing sports or other physical activities, two to three times a week is better than none.
Do share your thoughts.
We all know how active kids are! They hate to sit still for long, at least most of them. Very few children do not want to run around the house or in the garden, and given a chance, they could do this the whole day.
With the advent of entertainment in the form of television and video games, the level of physical activity has reduced immensely. This is a point of concern. What with malls, and pizzas and burgers, parents have a tough time keeping their kids interested in sports and other hobbies, and also keep them lean and active.
There is pressure to finish their lessons and go to tuitions, and whatever time is left after that is dedicated to TV and video games. After all this, where will a child get time to play? I remember my parents used to forcibly shoo us off the house the moment the sun would dip around the horizon. Of course, I did not always like it because I wanted to keep reading and my sister didn’t want to miss her favourite cartoons but now, I realize the importance. What I wouldn’t give for those carefree couple of hours just to run around without a care in the world!
As far as I know, kids hate to sleep in the afternoons, and love to play in the evenings. We can work around our and our children's schedules to involve them in various kinds of physical activities.
Let your child feel free: It is important that as parents, we do not always stop our children from running in the house. Believe me, it keeps them active when they jump around, climb up the walls and doorways or hop around the house. Of course, we need to monitor them so they don’t get hurt or break anything in the house.
Play time: If you are at home in the evenings, encourage them to go out and play instead of watching TV or playing video games. If need be, accompany them, run with them, and also leave them on their own for some time but be in the vicinity.
Sports & hobbies: All children should play at least one sport and enroll in at least one hobby, ideally, so should we. Swimming, running, cricket, tennis, football, skating, drawing, music, dance are some of the popular activities. You just have to choose the activity your child is interested in.
Family time: If it means you need to spare sometime to play with them, do that. It will strengthen family bond and keep everyone fit and healthy.
Knowledge: Encourage your child to know more about sports and hobbies of their interest, read related books and watch videos to get them and keep them interested.
In school: Ensure that your child participates in school sports day and actively plays sports. Believe me, being active is a state of mind that extends into the field and eventually in life.
Even if you cannot find time everyday for playing sports or other physical activities, two to three times a week is better than none.
Do share your thoughts.
Very true....Good ideas :)
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