Are your children getting enough exercise each day? The Health Promotion Board encourages school-age kids and teens should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week. Regular exercise helps your kids to improve their school performance and makes kids less likely to get sick.
“I don’t want to go outside. I’m in the middle of my game.” Does that sound similar to you? You may struggle with teaching your children who don’t enjoy exercise. Try these simple tips to encourage your child to be physically active.
1. Be a role model
As parents, we can make significant impacts in building active habits for our child. Kids tend to learn through play, so play together with them! If your favorite sport is playing football, guide your kids on how to kick the ball the right way. Find out active activities that your kids enjoy such as doing yoga poses or cycling together with them during your rest days.
2. Limit screen time
Always limit your kids to use electronic devices less than 2 hours a day, unless related to schoolwork. Never reward your kids who finish school work with screen-based activities such as gaming or watching videos. Teach them how to schedule their own leisure time with outdoor activities, such as going for a leisurely walk on the way home from tuition.
3. Create a reward system
Create a sticker reward chart to help encourage your child to have regular exercise. Once your kids are involved in chores at home or jogging with their friends, let them choose a sticker added to the calendar. When they have a whole week completed, reward them to try a new sport that they are interested in such as kickboxing or rugby.
