As parents, it's important to be aware of the ways you can help your children stay healthy. This includes making sure they get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and engage in physical activity each day. But while these are all important things for kids to do, sometimes they don't realize how important fitness is until they're older. That's where we come in! Take a look at the ways we can help keep your child active:
Engage with your child in activities that they enjoy.
- Listen to your child and find out what they like.
- If you are unsure, try different things.
- If you don't enjoy it, neither will your child! So be sure to do activities that benefit both of you.
- Try to find activities that also benefit you as a parent--for example, if one day is too cold outside but the next day isn't bad at all then maybe there's an indoor basketball court nearby where everyone can go play some ball together! Or maybe there's a park with trails through woods nearby where mom could hike while dad pushes baby in her stroller (or vice versa). This way both parents get some exercise while still having fun time together as well!
Encourage movement, even if it's just dancing.
Dancing is a great way to get kids moving. It can be done anywhere, it's fun, and it can help you bond with your child. And dancing isn't just for fun--it's also good for your health! Research shows that children who learn rhythm at an early age have a better sense of timing later in life, which helps them develop better social skills and succeed in school.
How do you get started? Try this simple dance with your child:
- Stand facing each other about two feet apart
- Put both hands up in front of your chest (like you're holding something)
- Move one foot forward while bringing one hand down toward the floor; then bring the other foot forward while raising the other hand up toward heaven
Plan outdoor activities as much as possible.
The most important thing you can do is plan outdoor activities as much as possible. The fresh air, sunshine and physical activity your child gets from being outside will help him or her grow big and strong. Here are some fun things you can do together:
- Nature Exploration: Venture outdoors to explore nature trails, parks, and nearby green spaces
- Bike Adventures: Go for a bike ride around your neighborhood or on dedicated bike paths
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt list for items to find during a local park visit
- Picnic Playtime: Plan a picnic in the park with frisbees, kites, and games like tag
- Outdoor Yoga: Practice yoga together in the yard or at a peaceful outdoor spot
Make sure to stay hydrated during these activities--and don't forget about yourself! If you're thirsty, chances are that your child will be too; make sure everyone has access to plenty of water throughout the day. Also, keep an eye out for signs of dehydration like dry lips and mouth; if these symptoms appear after playing outside in warm weather for several hours straight without taking breaks often enough during those times when they aren't active enough yet (for example if there isn't much shade available), then this could mean trouble down the road if left untreated early on before becoming more serious issues later on down line like heatstroke etcetera...
Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Children need at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night in order for their bodies to grow and develop properly, but they don't always get it. An estimated 25% of children ages 6 through 17 years old do not get enough sleep on school nights, according to the National Sleep Foundation. This can lead to poor performance in school and other activities, as well as health problems such as obesity.
- Help your child establish a bedtime routine that includes relaxing activities such as reading or listening to music before bedtime each night; encourage him or her not only to go right into bed but also not get out until morning (unless there's an emergency). You might even want to set up some rules: If he stays up past his usual time limit on weekends or holidays when there are no school obligations looming ahead, then he must take a nap during the afternoon on Sunday so that he'll be ready for Monday morning at school!
Set a good example by being physically active yourself.
It's important for you to set a good example by being physically active yourself. Children are more likely to get involved in physical activity if they see that their parents enjoy it, so don't just tell your kids to get off the couch and go outside. Instead, find ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine together.
Here are some ideas:
- Take walks together after dinner or on weekends (or both!).
- Ride bikes around the neighborhood and stop at different parks along the way so everyone can play on the swing set or slide set for a while before continuing home again!
- If your child has access to a swimming pool or lake in the summertime--and even if they don't--you could try going swimming together once or twice per week during warm weather months (and maybe even more often than that).
Children need to be physically active to keep their bodies healthy, but they don't always realize this on their own.
You'll want to encourage your children to be more active. You can do this by setting a good example and providing opportunities for physical activity.
You may also want to talk with your child's doctor about how much sleep they should get each night since getting enough rest is just as important as being physically active.
You might also consider including some of the following activities in your daily routine: walking or biking instead of driving; playing outside in the yard or at a park; playing games like tag or soccer; swimming at the pool (if it's warm enough); bowling with family members--or even taking up bowling yourself!
Let's Play
We hope this article has inspired you to get your child more active and involved in physical activity. It's important for their health, and it also gives them a chance to explore new interests and make friends with other kids who share those interests. If you have any questions about how best to do this, please feel free to contact us.
