A Resource for Athens Area Families
   


Health/Families On the Move
Active Children ... Active Families
Sep/Oct 2007

There is no question that physical activity is good for children. Just consider the evidence. Physical activity strengthens muscles, bones and joints. It gives children the opportunity to gain self-esteem, confidence and a sense of well-being. In addition to making children healthier, positive activities also offer children fun alternatives to risky behavior such as drug and alcohol use.

Challenge:
A lack of physical activity

Solution:
Make physical activity fun, cool and part of a daily routine

Be a physically active role model.

  • Children should be encouraged to participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.
  • Find fun, physically active ways to celebrate special occasions, such as swimming or roller-skating birthday parties.
  • Add physical activity to weekend or vacation plans, such as hiking, biking or long walks.
  • Make sure you and your child walk at every available opportunity.
  • Take time to have physically active fun with your children, such as dancing to your favorite music.

Challenge:
Need for increased family and group activity
Prosocial activity can result in a wealth of positive behaviors for children, such as social connections, positive family relationships and school achievement.

Solution:
Find opportunities for children within the local community

  • It’s good for children to be actively involved with formal organizations, such as schools, faith-based organizations and community youth groups, where they can experience positive interaction with other children and adults.
  • As a start, children should consider committing to at least one civic engagement – whether it’s volunteering to plant trees in the park or helping out at the local pet shelter.

Challenge:
Children are glued to the TV
The average child spends up to six hours watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet each day.

Solution:
Offer interesting, educational alternatives

  • Start by allowing your children to watch only one to two hours of quality TV per day.
  • Remove TV sets from children’s bedrooms and encourage them to spend time with different types of media, such as reading books or dancing to music.
  • Try making TV commercials a time to do physical activity, whether it’s marching in place or doing stretches on the family room floor.

Challenge:
The neighborhood or school lacks resources
Some neighborhoods lack playgrounds, courts, parks, bike paths or are just unsafe for children.

Solution:
Become an advocate

  • Write letters to school administrators and board members to support daily physical education.
  • Make sure that your children are provided with at least 20 minutes of recess during each school day.
  • Contact park district officials and ask for more opportunities for children to get active.
  • Encourage local officials to install park equipment, bike paths or other resources for physical activity.


.

Updated weekly!
Festivals, music, arts events    Storytimes
Parks and recreation events  •  Parent groups

Find it all on the Athens Parent online calendar

© 1998 - Athens Parent, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Send comments or suggestions to: webmaster@athensparent.com