Teach Your Kids to Be Active
In a world of computers, cell phones, Sidekicks, X boxes and video gaming, kids today have an entirely new concept of what having fun is. These are the babies of the new technology, and while knowing how to operate all these gadgets can be good for them in many ways, this new way of playing can also lead to a lifestyle of physical inactivity for them.
Back in the day, we played in our backyards, on playgrounds, in the middle of dead end streets, making up all kinds of games where you had to run, jump, climb, throw balls, and just plain move that body all around. Flash forward to the present, and with the exception of children who participate in organized sports, you'll find that many of our youths spend day after day parked in front of a TV or computer monitor, or sitting around text messaging their buddies. This is something that you as a parent, relative, mentor or adult influence can, if not change, at least put a dent in. It's up to us to show the kids of today how to really play.
First of all, it helps if you're pretty active, yourself. You can't just talk the talk, here. You have to walk the walk. Kids do what they see YOU do.
When your children see that you actively participate in and enjoy outdoors activities, they'll want to do the same. It's a blueprint that you're setting for them that they will touch back on later in life. Be it biking, going swimming, or just playing catch with them, seeing you active and enjoying sports and physical activities will rub off on them in a very big way.
Remember that children tend to pick up your good habits, as well as your bad ones. It has been proven that children with parents who smoke are more likely to become smokers later on. It's the same for everything else they see you do. Or not do. They are learning from you what to do, and how to be. So, by the same token, your good habits will set an example for them, as well. If they see you just sitting around on the couch all day just lounging around when you're not at work, and never being active, then that's setting the tone for the type of adults they're more likely to become. Sedentary and inactive. Try to avoid that by getting outside and doing physical activities, both with and without your kids.
Good influences start early. Be sure that you're setting a good, healthy, active example for your child. It can only lead to a better, healthier, happier future for them.
19 comments:
Don't have kids yet but my parents played outside with us and enrolled us in all sorts of sports.
Good habit start early.
alicia
http://todaystyle.today.com/
I hope I can start to get out and play with my son when he's gets a little bigger. Is a good idea to keep them active
Hi Diva, following your comment, thanks a lot...I do angry that we need to expose or let our kids explore into sports..Happy day!
great article! certainly become a subtle problem these days with technology... I even missed going outside and play with the dog:( sometimes, it's just surprising when you realize that you've been in the computer for hours and it seemed as though it's never ending, hmmmm...
Thanks for the comment in my blog. Yes I will follow my dream in my own kitchen. I plan to open a restaurant and I will learn how to cook.
This post really hit home with me, Hubby nor myself are into sports, we do however love taking the kids out camping which is lots of fun! We're loooking forward to summer this year (we are in Australia so it's on it's way :))
I also enrolled our 2 eldest in Little Athletics, so once a week they get to go and learn, get fit, meet other kids and have fun, and it's nice for me to get out of the house too....
It's REALLY important to give our kids exposure especially if it's something we don't like ourselves or how will they ever learn. Great post, loving your blog :)
The success of the child in all areas of life will primarily depend on the parent or caretaker.
The solution is simple. I sometimes wish I had a magic wand to help them out.
Great advice, physical activities will keep us all healthier and happier! :) (Got to go dancing now)
That is good advice. My son played baseball and soccer and then skateboarded (and still does.) It's helped to keep him in shape despite his love of cheese.
Hi Fitness Diva,
When I was a kid, we played in the fields the whole day during summers, and in the woods close to our community.
We swam in small rivers and never got sick, we had wounds and scratches from climbing trees, but it made us sturdy, we made our own toys, kites, and played in the streets and ate from fruit trees in the neighborhood or the woods such as mangoes, avocado, guavas, raw papaya, jackfruits, and anything we knew were edible - we even shared a bottle of coke and no one got hepatitis, and we drank water from garden hoses and none was ever sick in the stomach. We were healthier, physically fit and mentally alert.
Today, most kids are wimps or obese. I'm glad all my kids are into sports and active lifestyles. They have their gadgets, but these did not make them zombies.
I totally agree wit you. Great post. This is a real need that must be propagated. :-) --Durano, done!
I'm always encouraged to see all the kids in my neighborhood outside playing (they do it all the time on nice days).
Like you said, kids will do what they see modeled for them.
Last Saturday, Nickelodeon hosted their fifth annual Worldwide Day of Play (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6596536.html?industryid=47200) where they shut their channel down for three hours and told kids to go outside and play!
Thanks to The Biggest Loser Families, we can all see how true this post is.
When the time comes for me to be blessed with children, I definitely plan to be active with them. Working out in your early years will pay off in the latter.
I completely agree with this and encourage my children to be active and enjoy the outdoors. Too many kids are sedentary so soon playing video games and watching tv. Great post and reminder!!
What a cute kid in the picture! Just want to scoop him up and give him a hug. Reminds me of my god children. This is a terrific post. Parents don't always realize what a crucial role they play in their kids' approach to activity. And it really isn't about a formal exercise program. It is about play and putting the fun back into fitness - that is what the picture displays.
You are absolutely right. My parents weren't really sporty people and all 4 of us stayed away. My uncle's family was always out playing games and every single one of them played a sport thru college, one of them is now a lacross coach at a college. Great post.
Set the trend and develop habits early its the only way...kids need love so they dont go to food and find comfort. kids are happiest when family are together (around the kitchen) show them other arenas where family can be tight together www.blackfitnessblog.com
it's so true and such a shame that kids need to be taught to be active. also involvement in organised sports will hopefully keep them active for life :)
This is some of the best advice a parent can ever hear! Vital in today's techno mindset. My boys were sports fans as toddlers, and participants from age five!
You are totally right on here. When it comes down to it, we are the products of our environment and if our environment consisted of parents who taught us to eat right and be physically fit, there is a good chance that it will carry on into adult hood. Good post, thanks.
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