Nowadays, many kids spend more time looking at a screen than they do playing actively. Although technology can be a great thing, this decreased activity can really have a negative impact on kids’ fitness and can contribute to them being overweight or obese. Encouraging your child to be more active might be tough, but it’s important. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can do so.
Enroll Your Child in Active Activities
Consider enrolling your child in activities that will cause him or her to be more active, such as sports, dance classes, swimming lessons or martial arts classes. This will allow your child to become more active, and it has additional benefits, too — encouraging your child to learn a new skill and allowing him or her to make friends.
Choose Active Toys
When buying toys for your child, steer toward those that encourage physical activity, such as jump ropes, skates or roller blades, basketballs and more. When buying larger gifts, consider things like swing sets or trampolines rather than video game systems. If you do choose to purchase video games for your child, consider one of the many games out there that actually encourage the child to get up and move, rather than sitting on the couch with a controller in-hand.
Make it a Family Affair
It can be tough to encourage your child to get more active when you do the exact opposite. Consider getting up and getting outdoors with your kids to encourage them to be active. Not only will it be good for them, but it will be good for you, too.
As you can see, there are steps that you can take to encourage your child to be more active. If you are looking for additional suggestions for living a healthier lifestyle, contact us at Merritt Athletic Clubs today.
