Motivating Kids to Be Active

If you've ever watched young children on a playground, you know that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what you might not realize is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can be a child's first steps toward a lifetime of being active.

As kids get older, it can be a challenge for them to get the amount of activity they need every day. Reasons abound: the increasing demands of school, a feeling among some kids that they aren't good at sports, a lack of active role models, and busy working families.

And even if kids have the time and the inclination to be active, parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids once did. So their opportunities might be limited. Despite these barriers, though, parents can instill a love of activity and help kids fit it into their everyday routines. Doing so can establish healthy patterns that will last through the years, even into adulthood.

Benefits of Being Active

When kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Why? Because regular exercise provides these benefits:

• strong muscles and bones
• weight control
• decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• better sleep
• a better outlook on life

Not only that. Healthy, physically active students are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age.

What Motivates Kids?

So there's a lot to gain through regular physical activity, but how do you encourage kids to do it? The three keys are:

1. Choosing the right activities for a child's age: If you don't, the child may be bored or frustrated.
2. Giving a child plenty of opportunity to be active: Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots.
3. Keeping the focus on fun: Kids won't do something they don't enjoy.

When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill — whether it's swimming or riding a tricycle — improves a child's abilities. The child feels accomplished, especially when the effort is praised. These good feelings often make the child want to continue the activity and even try others.

What's Age-Appropriate Activity?

The best way for kids to get physical activity is by incorporating regular exercise into their daily routine. Toddlers to teens need at least 60 minutes on most (preferably all) days. This can include free play at home, active time at school, and participation in classes or organized sports.

Here's some age-based advice:

Preschoolers: Preschooler need play and exercise that helps them continue to develop important motor skills — kicking or throwing a ball, playing tag or follow the leader, hopping on one foot, riding a bike, freeze dancing, or running obstacle courses.

Although some sports leagues may be open to children as young as 4, organized and team sports are not recommended until a child is a little older. Preschoolers can't understand complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and coordination needed to play sports. Instead of learning to play a sport, preschoolers should work on fundamental skills.