(ThyBlackMan.com) As a parent, you know part of your job description is preparing your kids for life. You may be passing on wisdom about work ethic when helping your daughter with her science homework. Your knowledge of teamwork gets communicated when you cook dinner with your son. Watching a movie with the whole family demonstrates the importance of relaxation and family time.
One area in which you can model great behavior, and pass on wisdom to your kids, is in making healthy lifestyle choices. Children learn by example, and showing them the importance of keeping active can be a fun way to spend time together. Here are some tips for keeping your children fit and active.
Learning about the world
Exercise is a fantastic way for children to explore their world. There are so many great activities that combine seeing your surroundings and healthy activity, including walking, cycling, and rollerblading. When you are out, be sure to ask questions about the area. What kinds of trees and flowers are there? Why do the clouds look like cotton balls? What is that huge bug flying around? What causes thunder and lightning? It’s ok if you don’t know the answers, because you can always research the questions together after your outing.
Scheduling outdoor activities or vacations is another way to reinforce this concept. You can explore a different neighborhood park each weekend with Frisbee games. You can participate in charity walks in different parts of the city in which you live or take a weekend camping trip to a national park. All these activities will expose your child to new surroundings and people.
Learning about teamwork
Another great benefit to exercise is that kids can learn about working with others. If your kids join a sports team, they will have to learn to communicate and work together as a team. They will also learn things like strategy, sportsmanship, concentration, and fairness. To support your child’s efforts, you can attend their games, bring snacks, or even offer to coach. Your commitment to their endeavors will be a great encouragement to keep at it. As they grow up and encounter team situations in school and work, they will have a great foundation for success.
Learning about being healthy
Maybe the best lesson to be learned from keeping active is simply the importance of health, and how exercise benefits the body and mind. Regular exercise means your son will be stronger and have healthy bones. Your daughter will sleep better. It will be easier for your children to maintain an appropriate weight. The benefits can include better school performance, more energy, and better self-esteem. And of course, putting a priority on fitness will serve your children well later in life, as it can prevent many health conditions like diabetes type 2, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety and more.
For parents, this life lesson is taught through consistent daily activity. It is recommended that kids get an hour of physical activity every day. To make this happen, place it on your family calendar, along with homework, and doctor’s appointments. Then create a list of fun activities you can do together. Invest in things like hula hoops, jump ropes, and active games for indoor play, and be sure you participate in the activities with your child whenever you can.
When you are passing on the importance of fitness, you don’t want to forget about gear. Although your daughter may be agile, that doesn’t mean she can’t trip if she has the wrong sneakers. And even though your son has boundless energy, even he can get tired muscles from throwing a ball. Compression clothing for youth, like a youth arm sleeve, can support muscles and help recovery. The copper and zinc infused fabric is ideal for making sure your pitcher gets back on the field in no time. Investing in the right gear shows your child it’s important to protect the body from injury, and may even motivate your child to be active.
There are some amazing benefits to keeping your kids fit. Aside from the physical and mental benefits, by actively engaging with your child in keeping fit, you build a stronger bond between the two of you. In short, it’s a great way to tell your daughter and your son how much you love them. Making fitness a priority doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, and you and your child will reap the benefits for your entire lifetime.
Staff Writer; Travis Moore