Keeping Kids Active Without Team Sports
Children’s sports teams are popular. Soccer, baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, cheerleading, gymnastics, track… the list goes on. When children are young, it is nice to offer them a chance to sample sports in a noncompetitive way.
They may find a sport they really like or have a natural aptitude for.
Children who enjoy team sports and are ready for the social and physical challenges will more easily transition to organized teams.
But what if they don’t? Not everyone enjoys playing sports and competing.
How can your child build and maintain good health through physical activity in other ways?
Create a family culture of health and fitness.
- Accompany and explore with your young child. This is much more appealing to him than being sent off to do something on his own.
- Helpful materials to have on hand: balls, jump ropes, a stopwatch, a tape measure, chalk.
- Focus on enjoyment, fun and, if your child is interested, in personal bests. Setting up competition between two or more creates a winner/loser mentality, and the loser is often discouraged and becomes disinterested.
- Walk. Around the block, around the yard, from the furthest parking spot to the store. Practice noticing and sharing what you see, hear, smell and feel.
- Run. Short spurts: up the driveway, around the trees, to the stop sign.
- Stairs. Set a goal: 5 flights or 50 stairs. (Use caution. If you are going for speed, stay on level ground.)
- Dance. Put on some music and bust a few moves together. Sing the classics such as, “Head, shoulders, knees and toes.”
- Play. Kick or throw balls. Be a funny, clumsy, goofy partner and laugh together. Ask her to teach you her technique.
- Ride bikes.
- Hopscotch, Four Square and other games with chalk.
- Less obvious but no less essential: limit screen time.
- If older children are interested, consider individual sports such as swimming, golf, archery, climbing, roller skating, skateboarding, badminton, martial arts, and fencing, among others.
- Remember the importance of setting a good example. “Can we just skip that part?” Truthfully, no. Regard this opportunity in a favorable light, and challenge yourself to better health. As you take on the goal of improving your own fitness, you will be encouraged by your own success. Better yet, you might even inspire!
Dr. Lesley Iwinski is the mother of three grown children, a family physician and owner of Growing Peaceful Families, LLC. She offers classes, workshops and seminars.
Info: (859) 333-3053 or www.growingpeacefulfamilies.com