Parenting Tips: Encouraging Exercise
[We occasionally bring Anya and Vai to the tennis court and let them watch Daddy play. They’d watch, run around and play with tennis balls by the court side. It’s our simple way of ‘exposing’ them to sports activities]
When we think of the word ‘exercise’, we’d usually imagine going to the gym or playing sports.
But for children, exercise can actually mean: playing and being physically active!
Other than activities like swimming and playing soccer, … riding a bike and running or playing ‘chase’ near the playground are forms of exercise too!
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I came across quite a few articles that talk about the benefits of children keeping a physically active lifestyle, and if I were to mention just three, they’d include:
> having stronger muscles and bones
> less likely to become overweight
> better able to handle physical and emotional challenges
There’s one thing though.
While we as parents hope to encourage our kids to be more physically active, we need to ‘walk our talk’ too, and be active ourselves!
Because, regardless of what we say to them, children do watch our actions, reactions, preferences, and values. And, they have a strong tendency to mirror us.
[The three of us would occasionally go cycling together around the neighbourhood. And hmm, Vai kept giving me a silly face when I wanted to take this shot!]
Anyway, here are some tips and thoughts that I’d like to share today:
– Our attitude towards ‘winning or losing’ a game will indirectly teach little ones about sportsmanship. So, let’s remember to set a good example to our kids, as spectators and participants.
– Encourage through doing the activities together with them, eg. Bike rides together
– If the child joins a team or attends a class, be there for them too.
– Go outside and play with the kids too, eg. Kick a ball together. Little ones LOVE spending time with their parents doing fun activities like these!
– Take the kids to watch live sports games, eg. Check out the upcoming Youth Olympic Games together!
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Have fun!
