Nonathletic kids may seem to have it made these days. With so many electronic toys and gadgets at the average kid's disposal, the chances of one of them becoming bored enough to go out and play has become slim to none.
School already keeps them sedentary for a good part of the day. Though a more athletically-inclined child might jump at the chance at the end of a school day to get up and get moving, it's different for the less physical child.
In her leisure hours it may seem the most natural thing for the nonathletic child to settle back with a computer, cell phone, playing games, keeping up their Facebook page, messaging friends and watching movies.
Habits that are begun in childhood are very likely to continue on through a lifetime. The child who is inactive has a greater chance of becoming a full-blown couch potato in adulthood.
Physical activity is essential for your child to develop strong muscles and bones. She will be less likely to have a weight problem and thus less likely to end up with type 2 diabetes later in life.
So what do you do if your child doesn't want to get up and at 'em? Must you be reduced to using force? Not a very good way to instill a love of activity in your child.
You know your child better than anyone else does. Focus on their interests and abilities, in order to introduce activities that will appeal to her.
Small children like doing things with their parents. Use this to get them active. Take a short walk with your child. Hop on your bike and invite your child to go for a bike ride with you.
If she is the least bit coordinated, toss a ball or frisbee back and forth with her. Climb a tree together.
Does she like to watch birds out the window?
Suggest a short birdwatching adventure, let her look through binoculars and tell her what kinds of birds she is seeing. Walking with binoculars proudly hung about her neck can make trecking along a fun part of the day.
Go to the beach or pool, and let her jump into your arms in the water.
Riding a noodle or paddling with a flotation device while you are close by is good exercise that your child may look forward to because she's splashing about with Mom.
Setting a good healthy example yourself can go a long way in encouraging your child to become active herself.
It will take some time and maybe some inconvenience on your part, especially if you weren't particularly active before yourself.
But knowing that you'll be setting your child on a healthier road for the rest of her life will make it worth the effort.
Sources:
Keeping Kids Active
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/active_kids.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/active_kids.html#
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