It’s never been harder, or more important, to help your children get and stay active.
No generation of kids has grown up around and interacting as much with screens as today’s kids,
and they’re even more likely to spend their careers looking at a screen than those who are
college-age now.
Sedentary living and obesity is on the rise with youth and young adults, so
parents need to press the importance and fun of being physically active starting in toddlerhood so
it becomes a normal and enjoyable part of their lifestyle alongside their devices.
Many families have been successful at keeping their kids active through activity based video
games, and they can be a valuable tool for keeping them off the couch, but you’ll need to keep
them engaged with “real life” nature, sports and people.
Here are a few ways to light the spark
within them.
• Be their role model — Let them “catch” you during your workouts, take them to your
volleyball matches, and let them see that exercise is a valued part of your life. Volunteer for
youth sports leagues before your kids are even old enough to play, so they can hang out around
that environment so it’ll be a seamless transition when they are able to sign up.
• Focus on fun — Whenever your child discovers something they enjoy doing that raises their
heart rate and turns their grin into a toothy smile, let them dive into and explore it; keep them
swimming, hiking, dancing or kickboxing, whatever it turns out to be. During family visits to the
zoo or amusement park, pack in the walking and running. Take the long way whenever you can,
but don’t tell anybody that’s what you’re doing!
• Exercise for transportation — Walk or bike with them to school, the park, the library and the
grocery store whenever it’s feasible. Teach them these are valid forms of transportation as long
as they’re done safely. This will help keep them fit and make them less dependent on greenhouse
gas-emitting vehicles to reach any destination they need to.
