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back to PHYSICAL ACTIVITY topics
How can you encourage your child’s physical activity?
If you are a parent who encourages physical activity
or if you are active yourself, you are more likely to have children
who develop a healthy physical lifestyle. Children who learn young
to make physical activity a part of their daily routines are more
likely to continue being physically fit throughout their lives.
Here are some simple ways to teach your
child that exercise is important…and fun!
- Plan activities together. Walking,
biking, swimming, and playing outdoor games with your child are
good ways to help her understand that exercise is both fun and
important. Plan adventures to the zoo, park, nature trails, swimming
pool, or playground together.
- Help your child develop a positive
attitude about exercise. Help your
child enjoy exercise by making her feel good about her abilities.
Encourage your child to try different things. Praise her when
she does well and support her when it is difficult. Remind her
that it should be, above all, fun.
- Be your child’s number one fan.
Young children need to feel good about physical activity and exercise.
As a parent you can build your child’s confidence through positive
words and enthusiasm. Even if your child isn’t the best one on
the team, treat her like she’s the star. Encourage improvement
but recognize the effort your child is already making with kind
words and acknowledgement.
- Model good behavior.
If your child sees you taking an interest in exercise, she is
more likely to want to be physically active.
- Encourage healthy eating habits.
Physical activity needs to be fueled by proper nutrition. Carrot
sticks, apples, crackers, and pretzels are much better snacks
than cookies, soda, and chips. See the American Council on Exercise’s
Fit Facts—Parents,
Eat Your Words! for more ways to encourage both healthy eating
and physical activity in your home.
- Keep it up!
Make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle. Try to do something
active every day with your child. You can go for a walk, take
your child to the park to swing and climb, go for a bike ride,
go swimming, play catch or running games, play tag or race, give
tasks in the home, or have your child help you garden or work
in the yard.
To find more information on physical fitness,
visit these sites:
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
ACE has a list of Fit Facts that will help you and your child make
physical activity a regular part of your lifestyle.
http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.cfm?itemid=15
PE Central
This web site is dedicated to active games you can play with your
preschooler to encourage motor skill development and making exercise
fun.
http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/searchresults.asp?category=50
PBS
PBS has several good articles on ways to be active with your child,
including, By
Leaps and Bounds: Physical Development and The Importance
of Developing Fundamental Motor Skills: Learning How to Catch a
Ball.
Kids In Action—Fitness for Children
This is an informative booklet about exercise for children developed
by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Kellogg
Company. The booklet includes fun and simple games for you to play
with your toddler or preschooler, as well as diet tips and ways
to make physical activity more of a regular part of your lifestyle.
http://www.fitness.gov/funfit/action.htm
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