There are many temptations that keep us inside and sitting for long periods of time. We spend our evenings watching TV, catching up on Facebook, playing video games, board games, or eating long dinners with those we love. Individually, these things are not negative to our well being. However, anything taken to an extreme will have a negative effect on our lives and possibly the lives of our children. What do your children see you do on a regular basis? Are you encouraging a healthy active lifestyle?
When I was a child, the neighborhoods were buzzing with children riding bikes, playing ball in the front yard, throwing a football with dad, or playing cops and robbers. As I sit and look out of my window, the only children on the block outside playing ball are my own. As parents, we need to encourage our children to get outside and play. This will keep them at a healthy weight and encourage a long life of physical activity. This is important to instill in a child very early in life. The earlier you instill an active lifestyle the more natural and ingrained that lifestyle will be for that child as he grows. The best way to encourage a child is by doing it ourselves. When our children see that we can balance updating our Facebook status with going on a bike ride or a walk, they will learn to do the same.
Ways to encourage young children to become active:
*Go on a nature hike or walk.
*Play hopscotch in the driveway.
*Involve your child in gardening or yard work.
*Go on a bike ride.
*Play kickball in the front yard.
*Take the dog for a walk.
*Play tag.
*Involve your child in your physical hobby like karate, swimming or volleyball. Let your child be your little apprentice.
*Play in the sprinkler.
*Join your local YMCA and involve your child in one of the many sports programs. Many of these activities will have classes for children as young as three.
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