As a parent, it is important for you to encourage your children to be physically active. A child should try to do at least 40-60 minutes of exercise each day. To achieve this goal, plan some family togetherness time. Here are some easy ways to reach that goal together.
Walk the dog
Treat your dog to daily walks that include the entire family.
Check out physical participation video games
Nintendo Wii games, for example, enable the family to play tennis, bowling, baseball, skateboarding, and snowboarding. I’m generally trying to get kids away from the TV, but in this case, if they are swinging a bat or dancing, it’s great.
Bone up
Be sure to include bone-strengthening exercises as well, such as hopscotch, jumping rope, gymnastics, volleyball, or any “weight-bearing” activity; ones that you do standing up.
Go to the park
Make going to the park a reward for a job well done, a good test grade, or anything that deserves a positive reward. When you get there, play a fast game of Frisbee or toss a football.
Birthdays presents
Plan a day trip or visit a nearby zoo. A bike makes a great gift for every family member, as does a basketball hoop in the driveway and cricket pitch in the back yard.
Walk to school
Lace up your walking shoes and join the kids for a brisk walk to and from school daily.
Get to the playground
Take the kids to the playground to swing on the bars, climb a tree, or play tug-of-war.
Learn a new activity
Take a class together, such as martial arts, dance, or yoga.
Go with the flow
If your child shows interest in some activity, such as dancing, encourage it and go with her to participate.
Plant a garden
Whether you choose fruit and vegetables or just some pretty flowers, the kids will get some brisk exercise digging, planting, and weeding. Then, the whole family can enjoy the fruits of their labour with fresh produce and cut flowers.
Physiotherapy
If any of your family experience pain when exercising please contact your Physiotherapist. When an adult or child has been living a more sedentary lifestyle the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues are not conditioned to sudden bouts of exercise and can be easily torn or damaged. Having a health check can make sure there are no underlying issues that could be preventing a child from exercising.
Individuals living with disabilities can also greatly benefit from daily exercise, provided their circumstances allow it. Health on Grange Physiotherapy can work with you and your available NDIS funding to help you move better, gain more strength, and enjoy a better quality of life through our NDIS physiotherapy.
Please call one of our Physiotherapists at Health on Grange Physiotherapy on 8443 4613 or visit our clinic at 256 Grange Road in Flinders Park for more information.