As parents, there's no doubt we all want the best for our children, and keeping them active is a big part of ensuring their overall well-being. Regular physical activity is vital not just for their bodies but also for their minds. The key is to find activities children genuinely enjoy, whether it's a favourite sport, dancing around the living room, or simply having a good run in the park.
I see many parents signing children up for sporting activities to have them compete. There is no fun, no team building and this simply isn't sustainable. The number of children I have taught over the years who give up their sport as soon as they can because they were 'strongly encouraged' or forced to do it as a child is staggering.
The aim is to make fitness something they look forward to, not just another item on their neverending to-do lists.
Tip of the Day: Family Sports Day at Home
Why not organise a family sports day at home? You can set up various games and challenges, or let your kids do it. Work together as a family. From sack races to mini obstacle courses, make sure everyone gets a chance to participate. It's a fantastic way to spend quality time together, get off screens, create lasting memories, and keep everyone moving. Plus, it's a brilliant opportunity to show your kids that staying active can be loads of fun.
I was once advised by a health visitor in the U.K. that she always said 'yes' when her children wanted to try new sports activities - but her children were only allowed to take up one activity per term. Sports clubs etc. can get expensive! She insisted that if her child signed up they had to commit for the duration of the school term. After that, they could continue or try something else. I love this idea and follow similar rules with my children. Try it out, stick with it to give it a chance, once committed go for it and do it to the best of your ability and if it's not for you, change and do something else. I now have a rugby-playing daughter - who is seriously planning her path to play international rugby and a potential horse rider! (Could my girls not have chosen slightly less 'dangerous sports'??)
Remember, the goal is to make fitness enjoyable for your children. When they see it as a fun and engaging part of their day, they'll be more likely to stay active and healthy as they grow. Once children show an interest in a particular sport or activity, go for it. Encourage them, and see how far they can go. Let’s embrace the fun side of fitness and make staying active a joint effort!
Have a great weekend all! Liz
作為父母,我哋都希望畀最好嘅俾自己嘅小朋友,而保持佢哋嘅活躍係確保佢哋整體健康嘅重要部分。定期嘅體育活動唔單止對佢哋嘅身體有益,仲對佢哋嘅心靈都有幫助。重點係要搵到小朋友真正鍾意嘅活動,無論係佢哋最鍾意嘅運動、喺客廳跳舞,定係喺公園跑步。我見到好多家長報小朋友參加運動只係為咗比賽—冇咩樂趣,冇團隊精神,咁樣係持續唔到嘅。我教過嘅小朋友,因為被「鼓勵」或者被逼做運動而放棄嘅數量係相當驚人。
目標係令健身成為佢哋期待嘅嘢,而唔係只係無止境待辦清單入面嘅另一項。
今日嘅小貼士:家庭運動日
點解唔喺屋企舉辦一個家庭運動日呢?你可以設置各種遊戲同挑戰,或者讓你嘅小朋友設計。一家人一齊合作,從麻袋賽到迷你障礙賽,確保每個人都有機會參與。呢係一個花時間相處嘅絕佳方式,擺脫屏幕,創造難忘嘅回憶,同保持每個人都運動。再加上,呢係一個向你嘅小朋友展示保持活躍可以好好玩嘅好機會。
我喺英國有一次被一位健康訪問員建議,當佢嘅小朋友想嘗試新嘅運動活動佢話佢總係會話「好」—但係佢嘅小朋友每個學期只可以參加一個活動。運動嘅課外活動等可以好貴㗎!佢堅持如果佢嘅小朋友報名,就要承諾完成學期。之後,佢哋可以繼續定係試其他嘢。我好鍾意呢個主意,並且同我嘅小朋友遵循類似嘅規則。試下,堅持下畀佢一個機會,一旦承諾就盡最大努力去做,如果唔啱你,再轉去做其他嘢。我而家有個打欖球嘅女兒—佢認真計劃成為國際欖球員,仲有潛在嘅騎馬手!(我啲女唔可以揀啲冇咁危險嘅運動咩??)
記住,目標係令健身對你嘅小朋友變得有趣。當佢哋視之為一天中有趣和吸引嘅部分時,佢哋會更可能保持活躍同健康。當小朋友對某項運動或活動表現出興趣,支持佢哋,睇下佢哋可以去到幾遠。讓我哋一齊享受健身嘅樂趣,並將保持活躍成為共同嘅努力!
祝大家週末愉快!
Liz

Comments