Fostering of Physical Activity in Children

Anyone who has ever spent time with children on a playground knows that the vast majority of them are quite energetic and like running around. A lifetime of health benefits from being active can begin with a child’s first climb to the top of a slide or swing from the monkey bars.

It might be more challenging for children to engage in sufficient physical activity as they age. This may occur because of:

• Higher academic expectations.
• A belief, shared by some young people, that they aren’t athletically gifted.
• Absence of positive, involved role models.
• Households where everyone is busy working.

Moreover, parents may not feel as safe letting their children play outside unsupervised as they did in previous decades, even if their children had the time and desire to be active. Therefore, their potential for engagement may be low.

Parents may still instill in their children a lifelong appreciation for exercise and the skills to incorporate it into their routines. Doing so can establish habits that will serve a person far into adulthood.

What are some advantages of physical activity?

When children are physically active, their bodies can perform the tasks they desire and require. Why? Because regular physical activity provides these advantages:

• Robust muscle and bone
• Ideal weight
• Reduced likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes
• Improved sleep
• A more optimistic view of existence.

Additionally, physically active children are more likely to be motivated, focused, and academically successful. And regardless of age, mastering physical abilities boosts confidence.

How do children find their motivation?

So there are many benefits to frequent physical activity, but how can we encourage children to engage in it? The essential factors are:

1. Choosing age-appropriate activities for a child: The child may become dull or frustrated if you do not.

2. Providing children with a variety of opportunities: Engage in physical exercise, such as access to appropriate equipment, enrollment in after-school programmes, participation in organised sports, and transportation to and from active locations.

3. Keeping the emphasis on enjoyment: Children won’t bother with chores they don’t find fun.

Children tend to want to do more of what they like doing. The more they practise, the better they get, and the more proud of themselves they feel, whether they’re learning to swim or how to ride a tricycle. When kids finish an activity and feel good about it, they are more likely to want to do it again or try something new.

Age-Appropriate Activities

For children, the best method to meet their physical activity needs is to make movement a regular part of their lives. Preschoolers and toddlers benefit from engaging in vigorous play on a daily basis. It is recommended that children and teenagers perform at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Activity at home, in the classroom, and in extracurricular activities all count.

Age- Based Advice

Preschoolers

Activities such as kicking a ball, tossing one, playing tag or follow the leader, hopping on one foot, riding a tricycle or bike with training wheels, and running obstacle courses are all great ways for preschoolers to get the exercise and playtime they need while also helping them hone the motor skills they’ll need for future success.

While some sports leagues may accept players as young as 4, it’s best to wait until they’re a bit older before introducing them to the benefits of team sports. The attention span, motor skills, and coordination required to participate in sports are beyond the capabilities of most preschoolers. They can practise fundamentals instead of playing as a team.

School- Age

Parents need to encourage their children to engage in constructive physical activity by introducing them to new hobbies and sports that they would love. Activities like this might be as diverse as learning a new martial art, going on a bike ride, or going for a walk.

In the early elementary years, when children are learning the fundamentals of sportsmanship, there may be just a handful of very exceptional athletes. Abilities and personalities of children vary widely as they mature. Finding an activity that your child enjoys and is committed to will go a long way in helping them develop their skills. These are the years when extracurricular activities begin to take up more time, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect leisure time altogether.

Teens

Teens can participate in a wide variety of sports and extracurricular activities, from team sports to individual pursuits like yoga and skateboarding. Since physical activity must frequently be squeezed in between classes and other obligations, making a schedule in advance is a smart idea.

Help your adolescent get in shape by giving them access to a reliable mode of transportation and any equipment they might need (such as gym attire). A hesitant adolescent may feel more at ease engaging in healthy activities like biking or visiting the gym if they are provided with the proper attire.

Conclusion

A positive attitude exhibited by the parent might inspire their reluctant child to get up and move about.

Participate in your children’s activities and support their interests by encouraging them to pursue them. Your children will consider physical activity as something that is both routine in your family’s life and pleasurable if you start this practice at a young age and continue it with them as they become older.