PRIORITIZING MOVEMENT WITH KIDS
Helloooo! Coach Tom here to discuss why and how we should help foster kids to learn about healthy movement.
First let’s consider some simple facts from the CDC regarding childhood obesity:
The prevalence of obesity was 19.7% and affected about 14.7 million children and adolescents. Obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.7% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 22.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds.
These are numbers that have only increased over time as well. We know that early childhood obesity can result in a number of adverse health conditions earlier in life. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea, and joint problems.
What’s the solution to this ever growing problem? How can we combat all the forces at play that are working against kids such as? As a parent I believe the first place to start is by setting an example and working on yourself first. Prioritizing your own health by displaying a positive relationship with food and exercise is a great way to set your kids up for future success. I can assure you future parents - that kids are most definitely “monkey see, monkey do”. As far as the fine details of nutrition for kids, I'll leave that to nutrition experts.
HOW DO WE GET KIDS TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH EXERCISE?
How do we get kids to develop a healthy relationship with exercise? How do we encourage them to move more? Well the good thing is that early on, it’s not that difficult because they are at their most impressionable. If we move, they’ll move! Think: Outdoor options include going on walks and going to playgrounds. Even just letting them roam the yard supervised is great too. They’ll work on balance, walking on uneven surfaces, and get fresh air! Indoor options can involve playing music that involves movement ("head, shoulders, knees and toes”) or even finding youtube videos that get them up and moving.
As kids transition out of toddler age, the real fun can begin. There are more opportunities for organized games that encourage kids to move. Simon says, red light green light, floor is lava, and tag, all come to mind. These can involve parents of course but simply teaching children about these games will probably be enough to get them to want to play them over and over with siblings and or friends. It is also around this time that exercising as a parent can be done more often with a child around. Showing them what it’s like to use our bodies and how strong we can be!
Next let’s cover the topic of organized sport and activity. These things all come with more specific pros and some cons. Children can enter organized sports as early as 4, but it is most certainly not a must. The reason is that some children may not simply be ready for it, and that’s totally fine. Soccer can be a great starter team sport because kids tend to develop foot to eye coordination first. There are some options that are less about the team aspect and more about movement, like gymnastics. Dance is another great option to encourage children to move and I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t like music or being silly by dancing. The upside to gymnastics and dance for parents is that it’s indoors! Clearly it should be noted that all of these come with a cost. I strongly encourage parents to look into community offerings as they are often more affordable than private organizations.
FINAL THOUGHTS…
I also want to take this opportunity to get on my soapbox about fostering your child's preferences as they grow and age. Working as an athletic trainer I have seen plenty of kids who excelled as adolescents at a specific sport. But - they get to high school and things often change. Teens develop different interests. Other kids who were behind developmentally catch up with them and now it’s a tad more of an even playing field. This can be discouraging to a kid who always had more “natural talent” growing up. Conversely, if a kid is behind as they grow it can be tough to keep pushing them into something they feel down about. No matter what the situation is with your child, talk to them and listen to them. Encourage, nudge, and guide them, but do not force them into something they show minimal to no interest in.
Once they get rolling be supportive and positive. The parent screaming at refs, belittling coaches, or yelling at their own kid from the stands to “do better” rarely gets the results they are looking for anyway. There are so many ways to be active and developing a healthy mental state around activity at a young age is crucial!
*Please note I am no child psychologist and these are simply the musings of both a parent of two littles AND someone who has worked with teenagers and adolescents in sports medicine.
UNTIL NEXT TIME - COACH TOM