Tips for Growing Active Kids
- Keep TV, video game, and computer time in balance. If your child spends one hour watching a screen, help him find ways to play for an hour outdoors to balance sitting with moving.
- To begin, it may be difficult for your child to walk around the block. But the important thing is to begin somewhere. Any increase in physical activity will make her healthier.
- Be a good role model and get outside and active. Make sure your child goes with you.
- Active children do better on all types of school work and even on making decisions than kids do who sit all day.
- Try a "no TV" week. Get the whole family involved and rediscover board games, cards, dancing, playing outside, and telling family stories.
- Find a sport, such as soccer, or a class, such as yoga, weight lifting, or dance, that will provide your child with social interaction and fun as well as healthy activity. It does not work for children to go to the gym and work out the way that adults do. They want to play!
- Have active "play dates" with other families: meet at the park or YMCA or local pool instead of places to eat.
- You'll find many more ideas in the book !
"Going to the park to play is what we do after dinner, every day, whether the kids want to or not. It's part of our evening ritual. Now they just expect it. Making an incentive is good, too, such as getting to ride their scooter or bike there and back or having a family kickball game when we get there. The kids also love it when dad plays 'monster' and chases them around the playground."
How can I help my very overweight child get moving?
Make it fun and appealing! The pool is a great place to start because it helps the very overweight feel buoyant and lighter. Take diving toys and kickboards and play games in the pool. Walking is something almost anyone can do, and because it is weight bearing, it helps build muscle strength. My book shows you how to start out slow and supplies many ideas for ways to keep being active fun and interesting so you will stay with it.
