Get your kids moving!

Encouraging kids to be physically active is more important than most parents realize. Even if your little couch potato isn’t tipping the scales, getting her to use her muscles, pump her heart and flex her joints is important for growth. Sports scientists say, active kids become taller adults. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Years of research have proven, active kids are happier, more sociable and better behaved. They even do better in school.

There is also the issue of childhood obesity. According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), obese children are likely to become obese adults. This comes with a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoarthritis when they get older.

The CDC advices that kids should get an hour or two of active movement daily. Activities can range from informal play to organized sports. The important thing is just to get them moving – and have fun while they’re at it. So how can you do this?

Sports programs

Find out what interests your child and play on his competitive streak. As early as 4 years old, kids can participate in baseball, soccer or swimming programs.

For younger children who aren’t competitive, gymnastics is ideal. It uses most muscle groups and helps build basic balance, flexibility and coordination. There are plenty gymnastics classes for toddlers now being offered.

Gymboree, for example, has sports-play programs that let toddlers try out basic movements for different sports. In one module kids can get a feel for a variety – from gymnastics, to golf, baseball and soccer – all in the spirit of fun and play. No pressure. From programs like this you can get a good idea of your child’s natural inclinations.

Enjoy the great outdoors

Living in an urban jungle doesn’t mean your children can’t enjoy sweating it outdoors. Remember hopscotch? All you need is chalk and safe ground space to get them hop-skipping to fitness. Hopscotch is actually plyometrics – a very good way to build muscle strength and coordination.

Dodgeball is another good outdoor game. For the preschool set, use a soccer or beach ball for lower impact and safety. The game rules can be altered for young kids. One team forms a circle while another team stands inside. Players who form the circle throw the ball at the players inside who must try to dodge it.

Enjoy the great indoors

There’s a lot of fun physical activity that can happen indoors as well. Your little music lover can dance to upbeat music. Encourage them!

Notice how kids love to jump up and down furniture? That’s great exercise too. Spare your sofa or bed and take jumping up a notch with a trampoline. Just make sure you have enough ceiling height or take it out to the garden.

There’s also a lot of exercise your kids can get from walking with you on errands or grocery shopping. Take them along! Let your preschooler push the mini carts. Put them in charge of loading items. Before you know it they’ve clocked in enough exercise for the day.

Get them active – for life

You can make physical activities part of your family’s daily routine by taking walks or playing active games together. Use the neighborhood playground. Take the stairs instead of the elevators. After dinner, hit the street for a moonlit walk before (or instead of!) opening the TV.

Even very young children should do simple chores – cleaning their room, packing away toys they played with, watering the plants, feeding the pet, setting the table, cleaning up after they eat. Add these all up day in and out and you’ll have a physically active child.

Make physical activities a regular part of the day and you’ll be creating a healthy pattern for life. So go… get the kids moving!

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