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Have you ever tried to get a young child to sit still for 5 minutes? Parents do not have to work at getting young children to be active. Children are in perpetual motion. They love being active. It is very important to establish good habits when they are young before they start to slow down. Children begin to slow down around age 12. Their pattern of physical activity is often set for life by the time they finish high school.
Fitness and physical activity can become a family affair. Take time together. Play games in the park. Bicycle around the neighbourhood. Go bush-walking. Go swimming. Children go through distinct developmental stages. Activities good for one age level may not be good for another. TRY THESE SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS: - First 2 Years: Let the child be active and explore naturally. Develop good eating habits and do not use food, especially sweets and high-fat snacks, to reward or bribe.
- 2 to 5 Years: Practice basic skills, such as throwing, kicking, and jumping. Let the experience be fun. Skill naturally improves with practice.
- 5 to 8 Years: Loosely structured team sports can be offered. Do not be too demanding or over-protective, but be careful because children at this age are more accident-prone. They play to have fun, be with friends, and burn off energy.
- 8 to 10 Years: Allow the child to experiment with individual and team sports activities. Assess physical abilities. Offer encouragement, not discouragement. Let the child develop new skills at his or her own pace.
- 10 to 14 Years: Puberty begins and egos become fragile. Match sports to the child's physical and emotional development, not calendar age. Encourage physical activity that is not competitive.
- 14 to 17 Years: Health and fitness values have been taught and practiced by this age. Focus on the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle.
Be sure that aerobic activities are included in the child's regular activity program. These activities strengthen the heart and lungs. Examples include bicycling, roller blading, swimming, running, and walking. An active lifestyle develops healthy and fit kids. Fitness helps kids feel great about themselves and can be lots of fun! Choose activities that you and your child enjoy, and that are readily accessible. Article #7445 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
