Did you know that children aged 3 to 4 should spend at least 180 minutes a day engaging in a variety of physical activities of varying intensities, including at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity?
School-age children and teenagers (6-17) should engage in moderate-to vigorous-intensity exercise for at least 60 minutes a day. Therefore, physical activity should be a part of family life daily.
Surprisingly only one in three children is physically active every day!
It can be a challenge for kids to get adequate daily activity. Luckily, there are some interesting ways you can engage your kids in some sorts of physical activities. It helps them develop healthy habits that will last forever.
Here is some information to assist you in keeping your children healthy and happy.
Benefits of Being Physically Active
When children are actively involved in physical activities, their bodies can do what they want and need. Hence, a regular exercise keeps them motivated, focused, and successful in school and everywhere they go. At any age, practising physical skills boosts confidence and increases productivity.
Here are some perks of regular exercise:
- Strong joints, muscles & bones
- Healthy weight
- Better sleep
- A more positive outlook on life
- A lower chance of having type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
Physical exercise improves a child's emotional and behavioural wellbeing in addition to physical benefits. It improves a child's self-esteem, school success, focus, and behaviour by increasing their excitement and optimism. When it's part of an organised sport, it can also promote great leadership values, teamwork and friendship.
Let us start with the Top 10 ways to help your kid fall in love with physical activities and turn their focus to the right path!
1. Help your child in getting started as soon as possible.
Kids enjoy the fun their parents do. It can be a fun filled infant massage. As it's never too early to begin, you can make moving a normal part of your child's day right from the start with infant massage and exercises. Bring them some toys that involve physical activities.
2. Incorporate physical activity into the family's everyday activities.
Every night after dinner, your family should ideally get up and engage in some kind of physical activity as a family. It might be anything as simple as going for a stroll, playing catch, or riding bikes. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you're all going in the same direction. If this doesn't fit into your schedule, see if you can be involved together at a different time of day. Starting with 15 minutes a day is a good place to start.
3. Show your children how you stay physically fit in your daily life.
What do you do for a lifestyle? Do you go for a run, do yoga, play tennis, walk your dog, or go to the gym? One of the most effective ways to inspire your children to be involved is to serve as an active role model for them. It's never too late to start being more involved if you aren't already.
4. Instead of driving, go for a walk or ride your bike.
Instead of sitting in a car, get the kids going as much as possible. If a safe route exists, make them walk or ride to school every day (if they are not too young to walk or bike on their own). This is an excellent habit to develop at a young age. Remember to provide plenty of time to get where you need to go, so you don't have to hurry.
You can also choose some electric scooters and cars for kids to let them enjoy their physical activities to the fullest.
5. Allow your children to participate in a variety of activities and sports.
Early expertise in a sport can lead to burnout and injury in children. Allowing them to pursue a variety of activities allows them to grow a diverse set of skills and discover what they enjoy. Most sports do not require specialisation, until children are in their early teens, with a few exceptions.
6. Praise, but don't force it.
Be aware of when your child is having fun with activity and encourage them. Maintain a positive attitude from the sidelines, so they know you appreciate what they're doing but aren't too involved in it to put them under pressure.
7. Concentrate on having a good time.Most children are not able to compete until they are ten years old. Fun and non-competitive activities keep things stress-free for kids under ten and encourage them to succeed regardless of their skill level.
Observation
Exercise and a well-balanced diet are the cornerstones of a safe, active lifestyle. Encourage good behaviours in children early in life is one of the most important things parents can do. It's never too late to begin. Today, talk to your child's doctor about safe living resources.
Thank you for reading yours truly
KING TOYS – More than toys!
Written by Sam Serrih