A Family Affair
Nov 3rd, 2010
One of the most valuable lessons my parents taught me was the importance of daily exercise. Whether it was me and mom doing old school exercise tapes or taking evening walks with dad, one thing was certain – we were always active. Because my family was not big on the sit down dinner we opted to share our days events during these moments. We would have spirited family debates while hoofing it through the neighborhood instead of over heaping bowls of pasta. It worked for us. Most importantly, though, I grew up understanding both the physical and emotional benefits of an active lifestyle and have made it a priority in my own family.
Here are a few ways to get and keep your family moving:
Step 1
Make exercise a way of life. Turning exercise into an adult chore will make it seem less desirable to your kids. This is why you should make exercise a simple daily routine. Introduce your kids to exercise when they are still infants by running with them in their strollers. As they grow up, let them dig in the garden with you and dance around the house when you are cleaning up together. Make family after-dinner walks a nightly routine. Take weekend morning swims and bike rides.
Step 2
Make exercise natural. The desire to play and run around is an inherent trait in children, so it will be easy to encourage play that also happens to get them moving. Instead of getting them only board games, train sets and dolls, get them active toys like balls, rollerblades, bikes, jump ropes, hula hoops and dancing games. When they are outside playing, routinely join in on the fun and games so that they feel encouraged by and connected to their parents.
Step 3
Make exercise a learning mechanism and social outlet. Enroll them in their favorite active classes or sports teams. Kids as young as two years old can usually start taking lessons like gymnastics and basic dance. Older kids are also able to participate in a vast array of sports with children their own age. Help them practice by pitching and catching, spotting them when they do somersaults and having a “dance off” with your own silly moves.
Source: livestrong.com
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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment
