An active child is a sign that he is in good health and growing well. However, not a few children are lazy to move and feel more comfortable spending time on the screen gadgets up to hours. nowThere are several ways you can do so that your child can continue to be actively moving.
Playing and moving are activities that are often done by children. However, some children may choose to spend time playing games or watching television.
This habit is certainly not good for health and growth. Therefore, the role of parents is needed to encourage children to be more active in moving.
Benefits of Regular Physical Activity and Sports for Children's Health
In order to stay healthy and fit, children need to regularly move or exercise for at least 60 minutes every day. By being active and getting used to regular exercise, children will get the following benefits:
- Maintain ideal body weight and prevent obesity
- Reducing the risk of various diseases, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease
- Increase muscle, joint and bone strength
- Build children's confidence
- Improve memory, concentration, and intelligence
- Supports the process of child development
Some Creative Ways to Get Children Actively Move
If your little one has been lazy to move and rarely does exercise, you can try some tips to make your child more active:
1. Turn physical activity into a game
To make it more fun and less boring for children, create games that involve lots of physical activity. Through these types of games, children will feel happy and excited when they do it.
Mothers can invite your little one to play at home occasionally, for example throwing and catching a ball, jumping rope, playing badminton, or hide and seek in the yard. So that physical activity does not make your little one bored quickly, try to make a schedule about the types of games you want to play every day.
2. Looking for activity references on social media
Children sometimes still don't know what physical activities they enjoy or enjoy doing. If your little one doesn't know it yet, you can look for various references on the internet or social media about exciting activities that you can do with your little one.
3. Invite children in group games
In general, children prefer to play with many friends. In addition, playing in groups can also train children's social interaction skills with their surroundings.
In this case, you can try to train your little one to play with family, neighbors, or school friends. Mothers can also include their little ones in clubs that they enjoy, such as swimming or soccer for children.
However, during a pandemic like today, group physical activity may increase the risk of your little one being exposed to the Corona virus. Therefore, to be safer, you can invite your little one to take part in virtual physical activities, such as gymnastics classes on line for children.
4. Make physical activity a reward
Forcing children to do physical activities will only make them more lazy to move.
Therefore, you can give a kind of "gift", for example by letting your little one play ball if he can finish his homework on time. This method can foster enthusiasm to stay active.
5. Limiting screen time gadgets
Today, more and more children are spending time sitting watching television, staring at a computer screen, or playing games on mobile. This habit will certainly make the child rarely move. Mothers should be firm and limit their little one's time in front of the screen gadgets maximum 1 hour per day.
To make your little one not spend too much time in front of the screen gadgets, avoid placing computers and televisions in the child's room. Mothers also need to supervise the Little One when he uses the cellphone so that it does not exceed the playing time limit.
6. Giving compliments
Praising children after a physical activity can motivate them to return to that activity. In addition, giving praise to children can also increase their self-confidence.
Therefore, Mothers are advised to give praise to the Little One when he succeeds in carrying out various physical activities and simple games.
7. Establish a regular schedule
Mothers should make physical activity a routine agenda that is carried out with the Little One. Physical activities that are often carried out regularly can help your little one remember when he has to do activities, for example playing soccer with relatives at home after school.
8. Set an example for children
Generally, children will observe and imitate the habits of their parents. Therefore, if you and your partner like to do physical activities, your little one will imitate and apply it in their daily life.
If you have tried various ways to make your child want to be more active, but he is still lazy to exercise, try following some of these tips:
- If conditions are safe and the distance allows, try accompanying your child on foot to school.
- Try sports that are currently popular, such as rollerblading and cycling.
- Ask your child to bring their favorite pet around the house.
- Invite and accompany children to play kites in the yard.
When your child is active in sports or physical activity, don't forget to accompany and monitor them carefully. This is important to prevent injury to the child when he moves a lot.
If you have implemented some of the tips above, but your little one still doesn't show interest in physical activity, try to consult a doctor, especially if he is obese or looks lethargic and has no appetite.
