Editors Note: This is a great post collaboratively written by the folks at Bright Horizons Family Solutions
If we didn’t know if before, we know if now – being physically active and focusing on fitness is an important life priority beginning in early childhood. Not only does regular physical activity increase physical and cardiovascular health, it can improve sleep, reduce stress, increase attention and learning, and minimize illness. Because the habits and preferences children develop early in life will shape their choices and behaviors for years to come, it is critical to establish good physical activity habits now.
But knowing it and doing something about it are two different things. The average family has more commitments than time to meet them, from homework, to basketball practice, to piano lessons; it often seems impossible to fit one more thing into the schedule, no matter how good it is for you.
One way to fit fitness into the schedule is to turn it into a family activity. Not only is daily physical activity a healthy goal for everyone in the family, it provides us with an opportunity to be together and enjoy one another, and offers an excellent model for young children as they see the adults in their family having fun with fitness right alongside them.
Here are a few ideas that everyone in your family can participate in:
- Walk about it – A daily (or a few times a week) walk is a perfect way to reflect on the day and learn about what’s going on in each other’s lives. Allotting twenty minutes after dinner for a walk around the neighborhood will not only help you and your family members re-energize a bit before tackling homework, but it will improve heart health and digestion.
- Healthy Hobbies – Many of us have a list of things we plan to do when our children get older. But why wait? Dreaming of picking up your tennis racquet again someday; why not family tennis lessons? Want to learn karate or tae-kwon-do; what about a family class? Excited about a salsa dancing or zumba class? Teach the kids a few moves and dance around the living room. With a few modifications, many adult fitness activities can be turned into fun for the family.
- Keep it simple – Getting more physical activity doesn’t always have to be a planned event. Ask everyone in the family to be on the lookout for simple ways to be more active. Try parking your car further from the door at the shopping mall, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to the corner store instead of driving. Get creative and involve everyone.
- Outdoor fitness fun – Depending upon the season, there are many fun family activities to do outdoors. From riding bikes, to kit flying, to gardening, to building snowmen (or women), getting outside can be invigorating for everyone and can provide a few moments or all day opportunities for physical activity.
- Family Challenges – Sometimes a little family competition can be motivating. Ask everyone to set a goal; maybe learning to skip, jumping rope ten times without missing, or seeing who can keep a hula hoop going longest (this means you too, Mom and Dad). Keep track of your progress on a poster board in a central location, Or use the Family Activity Log on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes We Can! Website.
- Screen time – Take a look at how often your child is in front of a screen. From video games, to computers, to television – it adds up. While not all screen activities are bad, they are, for the most part, sedentary. Think about ways to minimize screen time like eliminating screens from your child’s bedroom, challenging children to be active during commercials (how many jumping jacks can you do during a commercial break?) and limiting TV on a weekend days when children have many alternate active options.
Regardless of what you do, it’s important to make it enjoyable. Having fun together as a family is as important as the physical activity itself. To learn more visit the Bright Horizons Community at www.brighthorizons.com/community
About Bright Horizons: Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons Family Solutions is the world’s leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education, and work/life solutions.
Bright Horizons manages child care centers for many of the world’s leading corporations, hospitals, universities, and government agencies. All of our child care centers are designed to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We are proud to help children worldwide develop the skills they need to prepare for academic excellence and success in life, while we partner with employers to support their employees as they strive to balance the demands of work and family.
Follow Michi!