Top Tips To Help Encourage Kids To Get Exercise
Parents know all too well the challenges of getting their children to get more active. Pulling kids away from distractions like television, video games, and smartphones is a chore, but it’s necessary for their health and well-being. Read on to discover the top tips to help encourage kids to get exercise.
Positive Reinforcement
No matter how you choose to help your kids get more active, you shouldn’t make it seem like a chore or punishment. The more fun and rewarding those physical activities seem for young children, the more likely they’re going to make it a habit that lasts a lifetime.
Participate With Them
Children will often imitate their parents’ behaviors, so you should make sure you’re setting a good example for them. Whether it’s a friendly game of basketball or taking a walk in the park, kids will start to feel the same way when you participate in the activity and look like you’re having fun.
Get in the Water
When you’ve got a pool in your backyard or access to one away from your home, you’ve got the perfect tool to get kids moving around. Organize different pool games for your kids, like water volleyball, that provide hours of fun while you cool off. You can also take them to the beach to soak up some sun and catch some waves.
Set Limits on Screen Time
With how hectic life is for many parents, sitting kids in front of the television for a few minutes of peace is sometimes necessary. However, try to monitor and limit their time in front of screens as much as possible. Try to aim for no more than one to two hours of screen time a day and offer alternative activities, like riding a bike or walking the dog.
Have Them Assist You With Chores
Children will learn from and emulate your attitude about household chores. When you get the whole family involved with tasks like raking leaves or cleaning the dishes, these activities won’t come across as punishments, and you can even make them seem fun. Set up some music while pulling weeds together or sweeping the floors and turn household tasks into fun.
Hopefully, these top tips to help encourage kids to get exercise can get your children up and active. Kids tend to respond positively to the right motivation, so sometimes, they just need a little push in the right direction.