Motivating Your Kids to be Physically Active

Many kids today are not motivated to be physically active because their playtime is spent in front of their computers, game consoles or hand held entertainment devices, including cellphones and tablets. While video games can teach children many things and improve their dexterity, it allows them to be sedentary – sitting in one place for a long time. They sometimes forget to eat or eat a meal in front of their computers or other electronic device, which is not a healthy habit. Before, these devices help parents entertain their children and keep them quiet. Today, parents are thinking of ways to have their children separate from their entertainment devices even for a short time, to take meals regularly, to bond/socialize with family and friends and keep their bodies moving.

Exercise promotes neural health and improves learning as it increases blood flow to the brain, increases survival and development of neurons and lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Youth exercise helps improve sleep, reduce risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes, reduce hyperactivity or restlessness, lower symptoms of ADHD and improve functions of the immune system. Exercise improves a child’s mood, increases energy levels, helps weight loss and builds stronger bones. Knowing the benefits of exercise, here are some ideas to motivate your kids to be physically active.  

Put a limit to screen time

One of the first things you have to do as a parent it to set a limit to the time your child devotes to playing video and computer games and watching TV, as these are sedentary activities. Replace those times with exercise. About 30 minutes of physical activity each day will be greatly beneficial to children but do aim for 60 minutes. Physical activities after school and during weekends are good. Allow them to choose something they like, sports or dance classes or gymnastics, playing tag or riding a bike with friends. They will be more motivated to exercise if they like what they are doing. You should also ensure that the activity is age appropriate and fun to do.  

Give them positive feedback

If your child is not naturally active, it might be awkward for them to keep their movements coordinated. It will help and encourage them with positive feedback. Praise them for what they can accomplish and guide them in doing more difficult routines. Never nag because that can give a very negative impression on your child, and may even prevent the child to keep on trying. Do not expect perfection, either. Be happy and enjoy the moment and give them their needed boost in confidence.

It will help if you establish a regular schedule for physical activities, either with the family or with friends. You should also stand firm on this, and establish that exercising is a non-negotiable issue. Use exercise as a reward. Make it fun. If your child develops a good response to it and wants to graduate from child’s play to something more regulated and structured, look into fitness centres offering youth training.

Develop an active routine

Kids will be more motivated if they are allowed to do physical activities on their own. Not all kids are into organized sports like basketball, baseball or football. They can still benefit from physical activities such as swimming, dancing, walking, trekking, wall or rock climbing or martial arts. It is all right if they do it in short bursts with brief rest periods in between. This sequence is actually better as it is how a human body is made to move.

Join them

One way to motivate your kids to enjoy physical activities is to be physically active yourself. Join them while they play. Need a good walking cane? Don’t be afraid to try one out to start! 

Go on a hike as a family. Jump rope. Join them in their walk or bike ride to school. Pay hopscotch with the girls. You do not have to think of fancy exercise programs. Your objective is to get them off their beds or the couch and have them enjoy the outdoors, to breathe in fresh air, get a bit of sunshine and keep their bodies moving.