Answers (11)
1
I like all the above answers and certainly doing physical activities with them from an early age is key. But really, we do need to use our collective clout to get the full PE program back in the elementary and junior high schools.
1
Play with the child. Heck, I bet they test YOUR fitness! If you make it fun now, it becomes habit later.
0
By example!
When I was growing up, we didn't "exercise" - we went outside and "played". I think we need to give our children the opportunity for active play (not necessarily structured exercise or sport competitions). Active play is natural - children naturally want to move around (more than parents and teachers want sometimes).
One of the things that bugs me about our school system is that it is too centered around sitting all day. Of course, that prepares young ones for sitting all day in a cubicle in their future job. Sigh.
When I was growing up, we didn't "exercise" - we went outside and "played". I think we need to give our children the opportunity for active play (not necessarily structured exercise or sport competitions). Active play is natural - children naturally want to move around (more than parents and teachers want sometimes).
One of the things that bugs me about our school system is that it is too centered around sitting all day. Of course, that prepares young ones for sitting all day in a cubicle in their future job. Sigh.
0
Hello. The best way to motivate a child at an early age to exercise is to make exercise fun. The playground is the best place for this. I have yet to meet a child that did not like the playground. So, while at the playground, do the following:
1. Have them do 10-15 squats with you and once you're done, have them chase you by playing tag.
2. Place a small, light weight ball next to a cone and have them run to get the ball and bring it back to you. Do this for 5 reps.
3. Have them throw the ball back and forth to you from their chest level.
4. Swinging on the swing is a great way to build quad and hamstring strength.
5. Last, but not least, you lead by example. Our kids see my wife and I exercise all the time, so they like to do it too. As a matter of fact, we bought them a DVD entitled: "Tony and the Kids" that they love and I highly recommend. You can purchase it from me on my website: www.beachbodycoach.com/idalhealth.
1. Have them do 10-15 squats with you and once you're done, have them chase you by playing tag.
2. Place a small, light weight ball next to a cone and have them run to get the ball and bring it back to you. Do this for 5 reps.
3. Have them throw the ball back and forth to you from their chest level.
4. Swinging on the swing is a great way to build quad and hamstring strength.
5. Last, but not least, you lead by example. Our kids see my wife and I exercise all the time, so they like to do it too. As a matter of fact, we bought them a DVD entitled: "Tony and the Kids" that they love and I highly recommend. You can purchase it from me on my website: www.beachbodycoach.com/idalhealth.
0
Here are my top suggestions:
1. Be the example and let them see you up and active in a variety of ways.
2. Encourage them to go out and play. My 10 year old brother is the master of this!
3. Involve them in your fitness and vice versa. Everything's better when you exercise together.
Now, if you want something more specific for the kids, and you can join them, I love to have people use Shaun T's Fit Kids Club. There are all kinds of goodies that come with the DVD and they can push play anytime. (Shaun T is the trainer for Hip Hop Abs and Insanity.) You can check out the DVD at my website: http://baltimorefitnessandweightloss.com.
By the way, if you have older kids, he has a program for them as well. It's called, "Get Real With Shaun T" and also features kids talking about issues of fitness and body image.
1. Be the example and let them see you up and active in a variety of ways.
2. Encourage them to go out and play. My 10 year old brother is the master of this!
3. Involve them in your fitness and vice versa. Everything's better when you exercise together.
Now, if you want something more specific for the kids, and you can join them, I love to have people use Shaun T's Fit Kids Club. There are all kinds of goodies that come with the DVD and they can push play anytime. (Shaun T is the trainer for Hip Hop Abs and Insanity.) You can check out the DVD at my website: http://baltimorefitnessandweightloss.com.
By the way, if you have older kids, he has a program for them as well. It's called, "Get Real With Shaun T" and also features kids talking about issues of fitness and body image.
0
Ideally, we shouldn't have to be answering this question. Physical movement is an innate need and desire. It's fascinating to watch young children move (at least I find it so:). If external motivation is necessary then I believe modelling the behavior is critical. Kids learn best by example. Nobody wants to be beat over the head with a "you must do this" message (adults included), so why not encourage what should be a natural impulse? Further, maybe consider changing the focus from exercise to physical activity; some will argue this is just semantics, but there are associations with each word that are hard to ignore (positively and negatively).
0
For all age groups, it should be FUN and SUCCESSFUL.
To get more ideas for children and to set goals according to the Department of Education, please visit www.aahperd.org
Every state has their own HPERD (Health, Physica Education, Recreation and dance). They offer teacher trainings and a lot of resources
I present workshops for the California HPERD www.cahperd.org
I teach PE, fitness and dance K-12.
To get more ideas for children and to set goals according to the Department of Education, please visit www.aahperd.org
Every state has their own HPERD (Health, Physica Education, Recreation and dance). They offer teacher trainings and a lot of resources
I present workshops for the California HPERD www.cahperd.org
I teach PE, fitness and dance K-12.
0
I agree with Maurice, Michelle and Danielle. Making exercise fun is key for young children. Games and other physical challenges will allow children to exercise without paying particular attention to the fact that they are exercising. "Friendly" competitions also are great for children after a certain age.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness.com
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness.com
0
I agree, the most important thing is to make it fun and enjoyable for the kids! Anything from walking, stretching etc. can be turned into a game.
For example, if you want to get a child to run add in some Simon Says. Grab a whistle and start running with them (works really well with a group of kids) when you blow the whistle they all have to freeze and copy what you are doing (i.e. Simon Says - put two hands on your head etc.). To increase difficulty and help their "listening ears" make it tricky (say put two hands on your head but then you put two hands on your back). They love that one :) Especially children age 3-6
Check out Playball - it's an amazing program that teaches sports skills to preschool kids and makes it super fun and creative:
http://www.deedee.usaplayball.com
Hope that helps!
For example, if you want to get a child to run add in some Simon Says. Grab a whistle and start running with them (works really well with a group of kids) when you blow the whistle they all have to freeze and copy what you are doing (i.e. Simon Says - put two hands on your head etc.). To increase difficulty and help their "listening ears" make it tricky (say put two hands on your head but then you put two hands on your back). They love that one :) Especially children age 3-6
Check out Playball - it's an amazing program that teaches sports skills to preschool kids and makes it super fun and creative:
http://www.deedee.usaplayball.com
Hope that helps!
