Being active is crucial for growing children. By creating a routine that consists of physical activity, it creates a solid foundation for health values that continue throughout the later years of their life. Not only does physical activity create a healthy lifestyle, it enables children to widen their social groups and create life long friendships.
Studies suggest that these two points are very important in a child’s routine.
- Include at least 60 minutes a day of moderate and vigorous activities in a child’s routine. Examples include walking, bike riding and active play.
- Keep electronic media usage under two hours per day, especially during daylight hours. Examples include computer games, television, and computer.
Keeping a child physically active in their younger years provides many benefits including:
- Promote healthy growth and development
- Build strong bones and muscles
- Improve balance and development skills
- Maintain and develop flexibility
- Help maintain a healthy weight
- Improve posture
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve self-esteem
You can improve your child’s physical activity levels and overall health straight away by:
- Be a role model – be active with children (they will be inspired by you)!
- Challenge yourself – if they play a sport or enter an event, enter it with them!!
- Include physical activity in family outings
- Support active play, recreation and participation in sport
- Encourage and support walking and cycling to school
- Be prepared – have a Frisbee, balls or a kit in the car ready to stop and get active
- Give gifts or toys that promote physical activity such as bats, skipping ropes or skates.
- Talk to the children and explain why active is so important!
Most importantly, kids need the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that are fun and suit their interests, skills and abilities. Variety will also offer your child a range of health benefits, experiences and challenges. By creating an active routine for a child, it enables a healthy lifestyle to be formed that can be continued in all stages of their life.
Adapted from: http://www.summitfitnessstudio.com.au/physical-activity-recommendations-for-5-12-year-olds
For further information check out this site: Australia’s Physical Activity Recommendations for 5-12 year olds
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/9D7D393564FA0C42CA256F970014A5D4/$File/kids_phys.pdf