Children and Exercise – How to Get Them Started

Getting kids into the habit of exercising is easier if you start them at a young age. Children are more apt to be active early in life and if you get them started early the habit may stick with them for life. Children learn from their parent’s example, so being active and having a healthy diet yourself will help set the tone. It is really important to keep this as “something you do” rather than something that has to be done. The difference is how it is viewed. If exercise is viewed as a chore, then it is likely to be viewed negatively, so keep it light.

It is no secret that there is an obesity epidemic in this country. A child’s inclination in earlier decades was to want to get outside and play (or maybe curl up with a good book.) but with the advent of video games, staying indoors and being a couch potato is much more attractive. Even children under the age of two are being introduced to the magic of the computer generally through learning games, but still that introduction is the beginning of a relationship. When you add the pervasiveness of commercial on television and computers regarding the “fun” of fast food you potentially have a combined disaster on your hands.

It has been recommended for years for people to get a half hour of exercise per day and this is a good number for children as well as adults. (This also is a hint that getting that half hour in with your children is a double plus!) Family time is bonding time and if you are going for a walk, swimming in a pool or playing some sort of sport you add the bonus of exercise to that social bonding.

Of course there are children who aren’t genetically disposed to sports or exercise, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get enjoyment out of it. Just because your child isn’t into traditional sports such as soccer, running or hiking, doesn’t mean there isn’t some activity that will appeal to them. A budding entomologist will get exercise out in the fields and woods while collecting or observing insects, and the exercise involved will be just as effective as any other hike in the woods. It’s all about the context. That’s why I say that a family activity of some sort can provide social distraction that will disguise the fact that there is exercise and physical activity involved.

As children age they may find other activities that appeal to them that have a physical aspect. Dance classes or martial arts aren’t exciting to a child because of the physical component, but there is serious exercise in both of those activities. They can also give a child self confidence and poise as well.

The appeal to video games is that they provide a constantly changing activity that remains in the realm of the familiar. This aspect should also be part of any exercise you do with kids. Change things up and keep things interesting and they will keep physical activities a part of their lives for life.

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