I often grumble about how my kids don’t like to watch TV nor play video games but I should really be thankful because this is definitely a growing problem today! I know that I can get stuck in front of my own computer for HOURS—so how do you keep your kids from doing the same?
This sponsored post can give you some tips:
Game systems, television, the Internet, iPods, iPads—there are more digital distractions fighting for your child’s time than ever before. But with all the talk of obesity in America, keeping our kids active is also more important than ever. As Robert Saman points out, the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) recommend that every child gets an hour of physical activity every day. Accomplishing this feat in the age of Minecraft and smartphones and YouTube, however, can be a challenge.
Be An Example
As always, parents are the role models their children look to first. Robert Saman suggests that making time away from your own tablet or Blackberry is the first step to encouraging your kids to lead a more active, healthy life.
Let your kids see you practicing yoga in the morning or taking your bike out on a Saturday afternoon. Better yet, invite them to try some yoga poses or come biking with you. Your kids love to spend time with their parents, so why not make it healthy for both of you?
Choose The Right Activity
You can also use a kid’s love of gaming to your advantage. Offer to pick up one of the dancing games, such as Just Dance, and join them as they play. Some systems offer exercise options, such as the Wii Fit.
The CDC guidelines for physical activity suggest one hour per day of moderate to vigorous intensity for every child. Encourage your child to participate in each of the three types of exercise—aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening—over the course of a week.
Be sure to keep activity age-appropriate, too. For older teens, a weight training regimen can be beneficial. For younger kids, unstructured free play such as climbing trees or a jungle gym is all that’s needed.
Make an effort to plan regular family activities that are more physical than game or movie night. An after-dinner walk is a simple way to start this habit, Robert Saman suggests, but there are plenty of options.
Use The Season
During the summer, take the kids to the local pool, and make sure to join them in the water for relays or a game of Marco Polo. Hiking is another great idea, or shell-searching along the shoreline at the beach.
It’s harder to keep active during the winter in cold-weather regions, but as Robert Saman explains, sledding and skiing are only some of the options. For indoor exercise, try the local ice skating or roller rink. Even bowling is active enough to make a difference, and kids always love to compete against Mom and Dad.
Competition and Teamwork
Millions of children join sports teams of all kinds every year, too. Encourage your child to consider soccer or Little League, especially if he or she has friends on the team. Robert Saman points out that, between regular practices and games, joining a team will provide any kid with plenty of exercise week to week.
Dance and gymnastics are other excellent indoor possibilities. If your child is the type who likes to beat her own high scores at Mario Kart, swimming in particular could be a welcome challenge.
Whatever you do, Robert Saman emphasizes, make sure to model the habits that you’d like to see your children develop. Putting down your iPhone for a little while every day will be good for you, too!