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Cracking Your Head Thinking "What's The Best Exercise For Children?"
You must have thought of what exercise is the best exercise for children, right? Don't! Just swear by these simple basics - find an exercise your child likes to do and that it's safe. Your job done. Well, it sounds easy. May be you're too busy even to exercise yourself, let alone your child....(Oh, oh, have I nailed the "right" nail into you? Don't frown, smile!) Actually, it's quite easy for your child to exercise, if you know how.... First thing, your child should take part in active physical activity on a regular basis, say 30 minutes, 3-4 times per week. In other words, he or she needs to exercise regularly.
Then, what're the unique thing(s) you look for to find the best exercise for him/her? Quite basic really. Just 2 things to look for.
Take precautions to reduce the risk of injury like:
Don't force, push or "preach" your child into activities he/she doesn't like! If your child learns that exercise is a hard, boring chore, he/she will likely not do it. Don't force your child into rigid rules about exercise like we adults - exercise in the morning, 3 times per week, for 30 minutes per session, without fail! Your child will run away!
Encourage him/her to have flexible time to exercise - in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, when he/she feels like doing it, as long as it's done on regular basis, for a duration of 20 - 30 minutes per session.
Your child learns by example. When you as a father or mother or as parent gets involved in your child's exercise, he/she is 3 times more active than a child with inactive parents. So why not foster fitness and family time together with your child? Try to make walking, cycling and sports activities a family thing. Exercise together with your child is the best exercise for children.
It's a very enriching, loving moment......
Yeah, you know which is the best exercise for children; you know which exercise your child likes to do but do you know why exercise is important for your child? Here, let's just examine a bit for your child's benefits. Exercise, amongst others, helps your child:
Mind you, the list's not exhaustive! Now you do see exercise plays an important part in your child's health?
So, when you exercise yourself because you want to be fit and healthy, think about your child too, who needs to be fit and healthy as well, though he/she may be still small.
Talking about your child being too small to exercise reminds me of a recommendation by The American Heart Association which says that all children aged 2 and above should take part in at least 30 minutes of enjoyable, moderate-intensity activities daily. They should also perform at least 30 minutes of vigorous physical activities at least 3–4 times per week to achieve and maintain a good level of cardio-respiratory (heart and lung) fitness. Looks like your child isn't too small to begin an exercise program - and the best exercise for children at that.... (Note: If your child doesn't have a full 30-minute exercise break daily, try to provide him/her at least two 15-minute periods or three 10-minute periods in which he/she can engage in vigorous activities appropriate to his/her age, gender and stage of physical and emotional development).
This I've touched on earlier.
Easy does the job. You don't have to push or pull or lecture or threaten or bully....
Just you yourself set the example of doing the exercise. OK, practise the "walk the talk" principle..... Your child follows you. Bingo! You hit the jackpot by showing the best exercise for children, to your child!
Let your child try out these exercises that can help to build strength in the muscles:
Most kids, are by nature, pretty flexible. They can bend and stretch their bodies without much trouble. However, your child needs to find things to do for his/her good flexibility such as:
"No kidding me! Strength training for children?"
I understand your disbelief. But if your child is already in early teens, strength training could work for him/her and a form of best exercise for children. Some schools of thought seem hard on the subject, saying that absolutely no strength training is allowed for a teen as it'll impede physical growth and development.
"And is it safe?" You want to know.
According to experienced physical therapists and exercise experts, if it's done supervised and your child is taught correctly by the right professional, then he/she is unlikely to be injured. Strength training if done properly does not damage growth plates or stunt growth in your child, as was previously thought. However, it's important your child follows nutritional guidelines, which include getting enough calcium.
When's the earliest your child could begin a strength-training program? Experts say a child could begin as young as aged 6.
Research has shown that kids who begin strength-training programs have healthier hearts, stronger bones, and lower risks of developing diseases when they're adults. It can also help reduce body fat.
I think may be you're still worrying about the risks and the safety issue. Let's get to the bottom of them -
Bottomline is exercise is good for your child. When your child exercises, he/she becomes stronger,leaner, healthier, fitter, has more energy and feels good about himself/herself. He/she gets a head start on a lifestyle habit that'll greatly impact his/her health and well being positively!
So, is there any other better investment than putting your child's present and future health in the safe, best exercise for children?
You decide.
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