The Problem Of A New Generation
One thing I have noticed as a parent, my kids are not nearly as active as I was when I was their age. This is no doubt the result of computers and video games that only require a passive sort of participation; the kids may be doing something, but it is almost solidly to the detriment of their bodies and their overall health.
So how do we get our kids to be more active, and as a result, more fit? Well, it isn’t the hopeless cause that you might think. Here are some suggestions for improving your child’s fitness level.
They need at least an hour of physical activity every day. This does not have to happen all at once; even shorter sessions, 10-15 minutes in duration, several times a day will generate results.
Your home can become a gym all its own with a little imagination. Try having your kids run the stairs, three up and three down, or perform 20 step ups on just one step. Lay a shoelace down in a straight line, then have your child keep their feet together and jump back and forth over the lace 10 or 15 times. You can also use heavy cans, the heaviest that your child can effectively hold. Have them lift the cans up to their chest, bending their arms appropriately, hold for a few seconds, then slowly lower his arms. This should be done at least 10 times. Trash cans make excellent impromptu basketball goals….draft your kid for a little game of one on one.
Most kids, especially younger ones, love to dance. In most cases, just being silly is enough to make them get active, but use some imagination as well. Show your kids how to dance when doing such mundane activities as talking on the phone, watching TV, or brushing their teeth. Have them invent their own dance steps, or see if they can hop on one foot throughout their favorite song. You might also want to try jumping jacks for the duration of a song for a real workout.
The Solution For The Older Generation
Be picky in the chores you assign. Cleaning their rooms, vacuuming, and doing the dishes are good ways to get the heart pumping. If they are old enough, mowing the grass or gardening are additional methods for building up their endurance.
Other outdoor ideas include a good old fashioned game of Capture The Flag, walking wherever is convenient to get to, such as a friend’s house or the local convenience store, as well as walking the dog (or cat, or hamster, or whatever you call a pet). Rollerblading and riding scooters or skateboards are other excellent forms of exercise.
Of course the trick is to get them up and moving to begin with, but if you can, then you definitely have some exercise options available to you that are easy and do not cost an arm and a leg to put into action. So get those kids moving and let’s get the newest generation back in the proper shape!
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