Did you know that only 1 in 3 children is physically active every day?
Physical activity has many benefits, including improving strength, endurance,
and coordination, helping build strong bones and lean muscle, reducing
fat, increasing focus and attentiveness, and enhancing emotional well-being.
By making physical activity a priority, and serving as a role model for
your child, you can help exercise become a lifelong habit.
Studies have shown that parents’ own activity levels have a big influence
on how active their children are. You don’t need to be a star athlete
yourself, only to get moving and be creative!
Help your child find a sport or activity they enjoy, such as:
- Dancing
- Bike riding
- Skateboarding
- Running
- Swimming
- Martial arts.
Encourage them to play outside with neighbors or friends. Games are a great
way to get kids moving. Try:
- Tag
- Hide-and-go-seek,
- Red light-green light
- Frisbee
Get the entire family involved with family bike rides or walks, or just
simply play with your child. Provide active toys, such as balls and jump
ropes. In addition, limit the amount of time spent on sedentary activities
like watching television, playing video games, or on the computer. Incorporate
activity into your child’s day by walking when you would have previously
driven and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
By taking even small steps, you can help your child create healthy habits
while having fun along the way.