Regular physical activity can help to reduce chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, help to promote and maintain a healthy weight and strengthen your heart and lungs, among many other benefits. According to the American Heart Association, only about 30% of American adults report regular leisure-time physical activity.
Studies have found that the promotion of a lifelong love of physical activity begins in childhood. So what is the magic formula to raising children that enjoy physical activity? A pinch of fun, a dash of self-confidence and a sprinkling of family and friends.
Be a Positive Role Model
Parents' attitudes toward physical activity have a direct influence on the attitudes of their children. The best way to be a positive role model is to embrace physical fitness yourself. Children raised in a physically active environment will have a natural tendency toward the same behavior.
If you find it difficult to stick to a strict physical activity plan, do something as simple as joining the children when you send them out to play. Take a 10-minute break out of your busy day to play a brisk game of jump rope or join them in a leisurely hike. This message could be both positive to your children and therapeutic for you.
Parking far away from the grocery market and noting that the exercise will be fun also sends a positive message.
Friends are Important too
Statistics reveal that the attitudes of your children's friends will influence their perception of and participation in physical activity. Though you can't pick your children's friends for them, you can encourage favorable behavior. Resist the urge to become that popular house where the neighborhood kids gather to watch television, play video games and raid the refrigerator. Instead, encourage the children to play actively with friends by providing equipment for activities that can only be shared by a group like tag, kickball or four squares.
You can also encourage your child to take a leadership role on the school playground by initiating a game of kickball, catch or tag. Help the school encourage physical activities by working with other parents to provide students with the proper equipment and space.
Instill Confidence
Children gain confidence by becoming competent in many activities and proficient in a few. You can achieve this by providing a variety of activities. One season try soccer, the next interpretive dance. Follow your children's interests. Stick with the one or two activities where there is a genuine interest and proficiency, while continuing to expose them to new activities throughout childhood. Allowing kids to explore their personal talents will help to nurture a lifelong love of activity.
Take the Emphasis off Competition
One reason that participation in sports declines as children grow older is the emphasis placed on competition. Fun and skill development, rather than winning, are the primary reasons that most young people participate in physical activity and sports programs. To instill a passion for physical activity that will carry into adulthood, it is best to place the emphasis on noncompetitive sports like swimming, bicycle riding or jumping rope, activities children consider play.
As Close as Your Own Back Yard
One of the best ways to instill a passion for physical activity is simply to provide children with a safe place to be active, like a play area set aside in the yard with appealing activities or a neighborhood playground that they can visit regularly. Provide a few balls, bats and jump ropes, and kids will be well on their way to a fun day and a positive message about staying physically active.
 | Teaching children about living a healthy lifestyle is not as hard as you may think. As parents, you should model the lifestyles you want your child to follow. Living an active way of life and eating healthy foods will help your child stay fit. |
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Exercise is an essential and inescapable ingredient of a healthy lifestyle for both children and adults. The American Heart Association recommends that all children age two and older engage in at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity activities (cover-speak for exercise) each day, and vigorous exercise three to four times per week. |
It's hard enough to think about exercise when you're single. When young children are suddenly underfoot, there's so many more factors to consider. Babysitters can be hard to find, or too expensive. Never fear, however. |
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