Getting young digital natives to go out and play is something that can be quite hard to do. Even if you manage to talk them into going outside, chances are, they will still be tinkering with their devices instead of engaging in physical activity.
No matter how adamant your children are about staying glued to their smartphones or tablets, you need to find a way to get them out and about. Keep in mind that too much screen time and too little physical activity can lead to a variety of health issues in children such as:
- Obesity
- Computer vision syndrome
- Insufficient or poor quality sleep
Unfortunately, the physical inactivity and screen habits of young kids do not affect only their bodily health, they also impact their mental and emotional wellbeing.
How to Inspire Your Kids to Lead a More Active Lifestyle
Below are five tips that will help you pull your children out of a digital limbo and into living a more physically active and healthy life:
- Explain the benefits of being physically active to your children
Your kids may already have an idea of the different health benefits of physical activity from their health and physical education at school. However, expounding on these benefits will further instill in them the importance of being physically active.
Be as thorough and detailed as possible. Use various materials such as photos or even videos you can download from the internet to ensure your kids understand these benefits. Explain how each benefit will help them now and in the future.
Once your little ones have a better understanding of the different health benefits, they will be more open to taking up a particular sport such as tennis or ice skating training, or getting signed up for some kids’ fitness classes.
- Let your kids choose which activity and/or sport they want to engage in
It is important that your children pick an activity or sport they want to be active in and enjoy. If you select one for them that they don’t like, they will think of it as a chore and hence, will get bored or even frustrated whenever they engage in it.
If you want your kids to take up a sport, the best course of action is to give them some options to choose from.
Tennis, badminton, football (or soccer), basketball, and martial arts are always great hits among kids. Other great options include ice skating, swimming, baseball, and golf.
- Be involved
Your role in getting your kids to be more physically active doesn’t end with recommending the sports or activities they should take up. You still need to be proactive to ensure your children continue to get the workout they need.
This means enrolling your kids in a program where they can learn more about and engage in their chosen sport regularly. It also entails driving them to their scheduled classes and practices.
If they start joining competitions, you have to be there to act as their cheerleader as well.
- Include simple workouts in their daily routine
Ensuring your kids get the exercise they need doesn’t only mean bringing them to a gym, skating rink, basketball or tennis court, or swimming pool. There are a variety of physical activities they can do that do not require specialized equipment or sports gear.
Taking your children for walks around the park or going hiking are simple yet great workout alternatives. Encouraging your kids to play outside will also allow them to get the exercise they need.
Walking your kids to and from school every day, if it is near your home, is also a surefire way of getting them to be active.
- Set limits
Encouraging your kids to avoid living a sedentary lifestyle doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have any screen time anymore.
Your children also need to relax, and this means allowing them to watch some TV or play some computer or mobile games during their free time. They also need to use the computer or tablet and have access to the internet to do some research or supplement what they learn in school.
However, make sure to limit the time your kids spend watching TV or playing video games. Experts recommend allowing them only two hours of screen time every day. And to even things out, ensure they get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Be a role model
Your children will even be more motivated to continue staying active if they see you living an active lifestyle. This is because your kids see you as a role model; if they see you working out or playing sports regularly, they will more likely follow in your footsteps.
As such, let your kids watch you as you exercise. Encourage them to join so that they can have their own workout as well. If you are already into a sport, teach and let them join you as you play.
As a parent, you have the important job of looking after your kids’ health.
One way of doing this is to ensure they get the right amount of physical activity every day, and that they understand the importance of making it a part of their lifestyle well into adulthood.
AUTHOR BIO
Possessing more than two decades of experience in the leisure and hospitality industry, Tony Kouris joined Zayed Sports City as General Manager in January 2018. With extensive career experience, a value on interpersonal relationships, and strong negotiating experience, he is positioned to support Zayed Sports City’s strategic growth and continue to innovate the site as an internationally recognised sport and entertainment destination.
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