*Guest Post*
Getting kids away from computer screens, iPads, televisions, and exercising is no small task with today’s kids.
According to KidsHealth regular exercise is important to help muscle and bone growth, stay lean and fight off obesity, relieves stress, and gives kids a better outlook on life. Exercise release endorphins that promote happiness and helps reduce stress. Exercise is vital to children to keep them from getting in a sedimentary lifestyle that will be much harder to get out of later in life.
A report from Parents about 10 Benefits of Physical Activity states that kids who regularly exercise are 80% more likely to keep healthier habits throughout adulthood. The numerous benefits of your children exercising make it worth you while to focus on getting them up and moving.
So, in this article, I will try to give you some creative ideas to get your kids to exercise.
Here is a list of 5 Ways To Motivate Your Child To Exercise Daily that should help bring relief to your child.
1. Schedule the Activities
The first step to getting your kids off the couch and moving is making time for it. This schedule is not just for your kids, it’s for you too. Children are far more likely to enjoy the activities if you are involved with your undivided attention.
To make the schedule, keep in mind to add variety so kids can look forward to different activities each day. I will give you a lot of different ideas, so be sure not to do the same thing over and over. When putting the events into your calendar, add notes describing the activities. Adding notes allows you to plan and also lets your kids see what they can look forward to doing.
Super Parenting Tip – Create a calendar or share yours with them. Having a calendar when kids are young promotes organization skills, gives authority to the action (it’s in the schedule we need to do it) and lets them start learning about plans and timing.
2. Don’t Dismiss the Oldies but Goodies
There are three aspects to exercising: flexibility, endurance, and strength. Some of the good old games like Twister, freeze tag, a game of basketball horse, and hide-and-go-seek all promote one aspect of all three. Not to mention, they are a lot of fun to play if done right! Try to think of things you liked as a kid, and you will be surprised by how much your kids like the same activities.
3. Promote Exercise During Down Times
Get creative during times when nobody is doing anything. What do we mean? Say everyone is getting out of the car. Usually, everyone would just walk into the house, right? Make it into a race, but not just any regular race, add twists like “The first one to get a spoon, toothbrush, and sock and bring them back to the kitchen wins!” Competition is one of the most motivating factors in the human psyche; use that to your advantage. In the middle of commercials while watching TV? Sounds like the perfect time to see who can do the most push-ups before the show is back on!
4. Let Your Kids Pick!
Letting your kids choose activities goes all the way back to scheduling. While putting together activities to do, make sure to let your children pick which ones they want to add to the calendar. An excellent example of this is my bestie has three kids, and each gets their two very own days to pick what is done. The seventh day is a wildcard day, and that covers all the days of the week.
5. Track the Progress!
Kids love recognition, and nothing shows more attention than a big board of achievement. Have your kids help you decorate and put together a way to track progress.
It also helps if there is a reward at different milestones. Some ideas are check boxes, and once an activity is complete, you check it off, and a reward of some kind is given. If your child responds more to competition, keep a list of best times, the number of games won, and other winning tallies.
The important thing to remember is each kid is different and responds to different motivational tactics better. Try a wide variety of actions and see what is most effective with your little one. Once you have an idea of what motivates your kid, play to that motivation and enjoy the time you get to play/exercise with them!
About Author
Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful children. She has been writing informational blog posts for parents for a few years now and hopes she can help with your questions and concerns with parenting. You can visit her blog or follow her on twitter
If you are interested in sharing a guest post on my blog, read my Guest Posting page and contact me for more details.
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