Yesterday I was on a break from work and stumbled across a video from Ellen about an 8-year old trainer who has found a passion for fitness. I have posted a video of the adorable Jamaican Trainer Kid, but it really got me thinking about children, teaching and technology. As a certified k-12 Physical Education Teacher, I have had the opportunity to work with children of all ages, teaching in elementary schools all the way up through high school. Physical activity is becoming increasingly obsolete as technology advances. We as a society are becoming more health conscious with the types of foods we eat, yet our lifestyles are becoming more sedentary as anything we want is only a click away. Physical Education programs are the first to be cut in schools… So where are our children going to learn how to be active and health conscious? At home of course! After you watch this video, try my tips for getting your kids up and at ’em, and if you have anything to add to the list, I would love to hear form you!
When I was a kid I grew up on a block with tons of kids. We lived on a court, and played endless games of Man-Hunt, Capture The Flag, Kickball, Softball and Basketball. We swam everyday in the summer and did not come home until the fireflies began to light up the sky. So how do we get our kids back to that place where playing and being active was the spice of life!? Well here are five tips to help you get started.
Be a Model: Young kids want to be just like their parents. If they see you breaking a sweat they will most likely want to do the same. Go on family runs or swims. Workout in your living room. My best friends daughter is one and a half years old, and when she sees her mama do push-ups or a solid downward dog, she joins right in. So make it a family affair. You don’t need two hours. You can get some serious physical benefits from 20-30 minutes of physical activity a few times a week. Children should be getting an hour of physical activity every day. So break it up into increments and have some fun!
Limit Their Tech Time: Since you are the parent, and your children live under your roof, you make the rules right? RIGHT. Place strict limitations on their technology usage. Or have them earn minutes by doing physical activity. Any of us who have ever cleaned knows that vacuuming or scrubbing the bathroom can work up a serious sweat. Kelly Ripa has a charging station in her house. At a certain time of the day, everyone in the family needs to unplug and place their phone on the station…including mom and dad. What better time than that to do homework, play a game or have a mind stimulating family workout?
Play Games: As a PE Teacher tag games and other activities that teach personal and social responsibility and increase cardiovascular strength and endurance were the key to including everyone in physical activity. So your child may not be Mia Ham or Michael Jordan, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have fun playing sport related or cardio games. Here are a couple of great sites for fun, active games:
http://bnhealthy.org/physical-activity/five-games-for-family-fitness
http://fitfamilytogether.com/100-fun-activities-for-family-fitness
My new buddy and reader Ava Brown is working to earn her “Junior Staying Fit” Girl Scout badge. She is learning all about the importance of staying fit, different fitness games & activities, nutrition, & healthy habits. Ava suggests utilizing “Fun Activities For Kids” website to find fun games and activities for you family and friends! Thank you Ava! Keep shooting for the stars and spreading the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.
Get Your Kids In the Kitchen: Cooking is a great way to learn about health and fitness. In the summer, plant a small garden, and use what you grow to make healthy and delicious meals. The more kids take part in the food experience the more they will enjoy eating. I know cooking three course meals is not reasonable with a bunch of kiddos running around. Feel free to leave them at home while food shopping, but let them mix, stir and chop to their hearts content. Cooking for my hubby is one of my favorite things to do, and it is an even better experience when we cook together or he sits at our breakfast nook while I do it. Either way it is a great way to download about our day, and spend real quality time together. Teach them about healthy foods, and have them try a variety of flavors. Again, try this with your phones plugged into your new charging stations.
Use Technology To Your Advantage: OK, so I know we already discussed putting technology away, but using it to your advantage once in a while couldn’t hurt. Have your child find a healthy recipe on Pinterest. If you have older kids invest in a FitBit and have a weekly family challenge.
Try these Apps for kid/teen fitness and nutrition:
MyMixify.com: Offers tips, tools and inspiration to help teens find a balance between exercise and eating.
NFL Play 60: Brought to you by the American Heart Association and the NFL working together to get kids physically active. You have to move to get your character to move. If you run they run…if you jump they jump!
Awesome Eats: Part video game, part learning tool. Awesome eats will offer challenging game play, and get loads of healthy eating tips along the way!
iMuscle 2: Want to learn about the muscles in your body? Then iMuscle 2 is for you! Learn about all the body’s major muscle groups, and tons of exercises that go along with them.
7 Minute Workouts For Kids: Help your kids build good habits early on. This app is exactly what it sounds like. 7-minute full-body, bodyweight workouts for kids! There are exercise descriptions, fun music, descriptions and pictures to help coach you along.
Bonus Tip…Have Fun: Have a spontaneous dance party. This is especially fun with the young ones. If hubby and I are particularly stressed I throw on a song and yell ‘Dannnnncceeeee Breakkkkkk’ (Don’t tell Cory I just shared that with you) lol Dancing around the house with ‘Bust a Move’ blasting is a heart pumping, family friendly way to put your ticker to work!
We want our young ones to learn how to live active and healthy lives. I would love to hear how you make health and fitness a part of your family! Let me know in the comments section below.
The photos in today’s post are by my mama from a health and fitness event I did with Registered Dietician Nicole! You may remember her from a few guest posts she did for me last year. Read all about her struggle with IVF here as she will be back in action on Taylor Walker Fit! The good news is she now has her baby boy Mason, and he is the most adorable little human ever. She will share her pregnancy and birth story with us, and more of her invaluable RD knowledge.
