Times have changed. Fear keeps kids close to home, and both the hot sun and lure of video games keep them inside. That may mean safety, but it doesn’t mean health.
Here’s a guide to keeping your kids healthy and active.
Tip No. 1: Limit Screen Time
While TV, video games and computers do have their benefits, too much screen time is detrimental to your kids’ health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under age 2 have no screen time, and that kids older than 2 watch no more than one to two hours a day of quality programming.
Tip No.2: Buy a Few Basics
You don’t have to outfit a whole home gym, but purchasing a few active toys for your kids will give them incentive to move. Experts recommend a few balls (a basketball, soccer ball, even a beach ball), a jump rope and, if you can afford it, a bike.
Tip No.3: Get Your Kids Outside
While indoor exercise is certainly possible, kids are much more likely to move in the great outdoors. To get the kids out of the house, you may have to help, even on weekdays when you get off work.
Tip No.4: Give Them Things to Do
The challenge for these kids is finding something that’s available to them. That’s why buying the items in Tip 2 is so important. But if you put a little thought into it, you can make fitness exciting for your kids.
Tip No.5: Enroll Them in an Activity
The planned activity doesn’t have to be athletics-oriented – dance, karate, swimming. Just get a set day and time you are going to do something that forces you to do that every week.
Tip No.6: Try a Fitness Calendar
Sit with your child and find what activities he or she likes or wants to try.
Tip No.7: Model Good Behavior
Kids want to follow their parents’ lead. So that’s an easy way to inspire them. You can go biking together as a family on the weekends or go for a hike.
