How to get kids moving
About Jo Turner
M.Sc. (Nutr., Diet. & Ex. Rehab.), APD, MAAESS, MSDA.
Joanne is a Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist – with a double Masters of Science degree. Joanne loves showing children and adults how easy and enjoyable it can be fit and healthy through good nutrition and exercise.
Joanne welcomes any of your nutrition or exercise questions.
Exercise, helps us grow strong muscles, bones, heart and lungs. Just playing is a great way for kids to get fit! They don't have to be the best athlete, anything that moves the arms or legs is great! Kids need to move for at least 1 hour every day!
Here are some tips how:
- Get kids to try lots of different types of activities, to help find the ones they like the most for all the different benefits of exercise (for their heart, lungs, muscles, coordination, learning and development and relaxation).
- Kids like stop start exercise and games that contains patterns; help them use their imagination and try to avoid them having to playing alone.
- Teach them to exercise inside or out, it doesn’t matter, their body just needs to be moving.
- Exercise doesn’t have to be formal bike riding, dancing, swimming, netball, basketball cricket or other sports, it could be a circuit around the house, with stair climbing, star jumps, push ups, crouches and jumps. Get the kids to make up their own and if you can’t get the kids from in front of the TV, get them to do the circuit in the advertisement breaks.
- Try to get the whole family involved in being more active – kids will copy what other family members are doing
- Be active in everyday living – like walking to school or the shops
Active Play
Being active doesn’t have to mean organised or structured sports. Unstructured play that is rule free and often spontaneous and imaginative may even be more beneficial for kids. Active play not only works the body but also the mind – leading to better social skills, problem solving, concentration, leadership, independence, creativity and even communication through explaining the new game to other people. Some of the best child hood memories are often formed during active play, exploring the garden or playing hide and seek.
MoreWater intake
Until kids are about 5, they often don’t feel thirsty and need to be prompted to drink. Dehydration or poor choices of drinks can lead to poor health.
MoreBalanced Day
Growing bodies need all the essential nutrients and this can only happen with a balanced diet. Teach kids they need different coloured foods to get all the nutrients we need,
MoreGood relationship with food
Kids need to develop a good relationship with food, so they enjoy a range of different flavours and don’t over consume.
More2 plus 5 per day
We’re all meant to eat 2 pieces of fruit and 5 serves of veggies per day (1/2 cup being one serve) – but two-thirds of parents find this difficult – here’s some tips to help get kids munching and crunching on fruit & veggies in no time.
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