It seems like kids don’t run out of energy. They play a lot in school and when they reach home, they still keep playing. Some parents are worried that their kids are starting to be hyperactive and beyond control. According to most experts though, there is nothing to worry about.
It is perfectly normal for kids to be playful. It is in their nature. In fact, most kids don’t get enough physical activities. In between their classes in school, they only have a few minutes for recess and an hour for lunch. Hence, it is still important that they are exposed to physical activities.
Working out after class or during the weekends is an option for kids. Don’t think of it as extreme. There are workout exercises that are suitable for kids. These activities are meant to make them more physically fit without necessarily making them very tired.
- Encourage your kids to do physical activities
For children aged 6 years old and above, it is recommended that they should have at least an hour of physical activity a day. In some countries, kids are even getting 3 hours of playtime each day. The key is to give them a few minutes to play every hour. They have a very short attention span. Leaving them to play for an hour won’t work.
There are different exercises that work for kids. Aerobic activities are highly recommended. They help keep the heart and lungs pumping. They can do hiking or skateboarding. They can also run, dance or swim. It is suggested that at least 3 days a week, they are exposed to a more vigorous aerobic activity.
Another exercise should be focused on muscle strengthening. Gymnastics are a good way to test their muscle strength. If kids can do a few push-ups, it would be great. They may also play tug-of-war. It strengthens the muscles without making them feel like they are punished. Climbing trees are also a good way to exercise, but caution has to be observed.
There should also be exercises focused on strengthening their bones. They are at a stage where their bones are still developing. Letting them jump, skin and run for at least 3 days each week will help in building strong bones.
The general guideline here is to make them feel like they are just playing and having fun. They should not in any way feel like they are coerced to do physical activities. This principle is the basis of youth exercise in general. It is even present within commercial fitness programs such as ‘Born to Move’ youth fitness program, which incorporate dance moves, music and playful exercises.
2. Don’t Let your Kids Get Burnt Out
Encouraging your kids to do physical activities should have a limit. Observe them when they are playing and see if they are enjoying or they are already tired. At some point, they might feel burnt out. They no longer have the motivation to play or have fun with other kids. They sweat profusely, and at times have injuries.
If you think they are really tired or are no longer enjoying their activities, let them rest. It helps that you give them a day or two to not do physical activities. They will surely miss those activities and convince you to allow them to play again.
It also helps that you combine physical activities with mental games. The variety of activities involved will prevent kids from being burnt out.
3. Observe & Analyze
Observe your kids especially if they show no interest in doing physical activities at all. It could be due to their interest in other things. For instance, they might spend too much time watching TV or playing computer games. Set rules to prevent them from spending too long for one activity. Use passwords in all the devices at home so they won’t be able to open them without your approval.
Promote high quality programming too so that even if they are not doing physical activities, they are learning. Better yet, let them watch TV shows that encourage interactive learning. In doing so, they move and have fun while watching.
Exposing kids to physical activities at a young age is essential for their growth and development.
2 comments
Hi Carolyn, Thanks for sharing such an amazing and informative blog. As its really important that kids should be physically active and play. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. It affects more than 18 percent of children, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood. I am sure these tips will help and aware many parents.
It’s so important to get kids out of the house and being physically active! But I like your point about observing them. If a kid looks miserable playing a sport or doing an activity it’s only going to make it harder to get them to try other ones.