Encouraging Your Child to Enjoy Active

Play and Activity

What can you do to help your

children become active enough to stay healthy? 

All children really need is opportunity.  However, the

secret is to provide opportunities for activity that aren’t likely to cause havoc and destruction – and aren’t just before bedtime or when you want a bit of peace and

quiet.

The other thing to bear in mind is that you will need to get involved in some of these activities.  This will probably do you some good and help your fitness level as well!

Outdoor play equipment.

If you have a small amount of space, provide some form of outdoor play equipment.

Outdoor play equipment doesn’t have to be

expensive, either.  A chalk hopscotch figure that’s the right size for your child and

a couple of old tyres to climb plus a ball or two is enough.

Let children go outside when it’s raining.

Dance.Arrange your living room and/or your child’s bedroom so he or she can have the fun of moving to music.

Encourage outdoor or active hobbies rather than (or as well as)

passive indoor ones.

During the weekend, don’t just curl up in front of the TV,

DVD player or computer.  Head to the beach or the local

swimming pool. 

Go for a bike ride

Go for a walk.  Weekend activity doesn’t have to involve

organised sports clubs – doing it free range is just as good and

just as fun.

Romp and roughhouse with small children.

This seems to be something that dads tend to be very good at – play wrestling and general clowning around.

Pillow fights fall into this category, or you can have battles with pool noodles or foam

rubber swords. 

It’s a good way for adults to release a bit of stress and goof off, as well as giving the children quality time and exercise.

Build walking and being more active into your routines.

You might find it hard to break the habit of taking the lift rather than the

stairs or parking as close to the shops as you can.

But if you make yourself do it, especially when you’re with your children, this sort of thing will become normal for your children and they’ll get good habits that will (hopefully) last a lifetime.

For more fun activities check out www.fridayschildmontessori.com