Posted on December 21, 2007 in Exercise and Sleep
A popular saying thus goes, “An idle brain is a devil’s workshop”. If not studying, kids need to be engaged in some other activity which exercises their body as well as brain. This can be anything – ranging from physical to mind-boggling mental activities. After all kids are mini computers, the more data you feed in today, the higher will be the output in the years to come.
To keep your child’s activity level high, you must first disengage them from activities that promote idleness and get them into safe, fun, active alternatives.
- Limit television/ computer games:
It causes more harm than good. Introduce them to new and interesting outdoor activities.
- Try to influence your child’s activity level through example:
Be a good role model. Children with active parents are usually active themselves. Children whose parents watch excessive amounts of television are likely to do the same.
- Play with your child and make the entire episode enjoyable:
Playing together is not only an opportunity to exercise, it also increases family bonding. You get to know your child better, and your child feels that his parents are an integral part in his life.
- Appreciate your child for every new activity he does:
This will install in him self confidence and creativity, an urge to do something new.
Here are a few suggestions to keep the brats active and engaged:
- Encourage kids to include any sort of physical activity of their choice in the daily schedule: This will give them leaner bodies, stronger bones and muscles, improved coordination, better posture, and fewer health complications as adults. In addition to the physical benefits, active children concentrate better in school, have increased self-esteem, are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and have a better overall outlook on life.
- Join some hobby classes:You will learn something new and interesting. It can be dancing, gymnastics, painting, playing some musical instrument, paragliding – anything that interests you.
- Strength training: This can be a fun way for your child to build healthy muscles, joints, and bones. With a properly designed and supervised programme, your child can improve his endurance, total fitness level, and sports performance.
- If at home, learn some recipes from your mom: You can be a great help to her if guests are around or you need to cook up something quick for yourself. You can even surprise everyone by cooking the Sunday lunch.
- Plan out with your child a family activity day: It can be a short excursion, a trek or a visit to the beach or zoo. Encourage your child to click pictures. He can mount and label each photo and create a family scrapbook of your special family day out.
- Join a neighborhood book club or library: Exchange books, magazines with your friends. It will inculcate a good reading habit as well as enhance your knowledge tremendously.
- If it’s hot… go for swimming, indoor ice-skating, or any other water sports.
Start today by brainstorming with your child to find a variety of activities that are good and fit for his ability, age and interests. You have to find out something new every time, if you want your kids to be puffed up and panting.
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