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Practical Considerations
8 steps to an active child | Health and safety
8 steps to an active child
Firstly you need to ask yourself the following questions;
“What sports/activities does you child enjoy doing?”“What sports/activities is your child good at?”
“Is your child a member of any clubs/teams?”
“What activities does your child do in PE classes?”
These may sound like basic questions to ask, but the key is to show an interest in what activities your child likes to carry out. Parents always show an interest into the academic side of their children’s education and encourage them to do well at all their subjects, but they sometimes forget how important PE is in their child’s development. PE at school can determine a child’s attitude to sport and physical activity for the rest of their life. A child who does not participate well in PE at school tends to form a negative attitude to exercise in general.
Here at PhunkyFoods we firmly believe that the following guidelines should be followed, not only by parents, but also teachers, and coaches in order to help children form positive feelings towards sport/ exercise, and help them engage more in physical activity for life!
Remember the Eight Simple Steps -
1) Be a good role model -
Like it or not children look up to their parents! Set a good example and engage in sport with your children. Establish a regular schedule of activities with your children, and try to incorporate it into your daily routine, such as designating time for family walks, or playing active games together.
2) Acknowledge their effort -
Always praise children for the effort they put in. Positive reinforcement is essential for young children and encourages them if they show an interest in any new activities.
3) It’s the taking part that counts -
No matter if your child wins, loses or draws if in a competitive situation, make sure they get just as much praise as if they had won. These kinds of situations can have a negative effect on children if they are made to feel like a failure.
4) Set realistic goals with your children -
Help you children to set goals that are realistic for them to achieve, this forms a great confidence booster for young children, especially if they are reaching the targets and being told how their performance is vastly improving.
5) Have fun -
Make sure your children are having fun and ask them for their input, is there any thing else they would like to play? Are they enjoying what you are playing together? Exercise is an opportunity for children not only to have fun but to also promote their health and well being- both mentally and physically. Activities can be anything the child enjoys, they may range form team games, individual games and or recreational activities such as walking, running, cycling swimming and playground games.
6) Offer your support -
If your child takes part in a sport which has competitive situations (e.g. football, netball games) attend their games and cheer them and their team on. Remember win lose or draw they are still a winner in your eyes.
7) Suitable sports -
Many parents think that because they were good at/liked a certain activity/ sport when they were younger, that their children must like it too. This happens all too often and may cause a child to have a negative attitude towards that sport. Let children take part in sports/activities that they like or is best suited to them, NOT YOU!
8) Television time -
Children need a balance - let them watch TV, play video games etc, but do try and limit this to 2 hours per day. Instead encourage your children to find fun activities to do with the family members, friends or on their own that simply involves the children being more active.
That is it; listed above are the eight steps to help your child be more active. Sometimes they just need a little bit of encouragement and support, and what better support can you have, than the support of your family members!
Health and safety
One of the main health and safety concerns for young children who are just beginning to be physically active is the risk of injury. Young children especially if they are taking up sports should start off slowly and gradually build themselves up to a higher level, which is why it is important for you as a parent to think about goals for your children. Yes, this is important for your child’s confidence and realistic goals can keep your child motivated, but it also is a way for you to keep a close eye on how your child in progressing and if the goals you are setting are age appropriate.
Protective equipment is also a must depending on the activities your child enjoys doing. If your child cycles to school make sure they are provided with a helmet, and if you cycle with them you must wear a helmet yourself. You cannot expect a child to wear a helmet while you do not; REMEMBER THE BEST ROLE MODEL A CHILD CAN HAVE IS THEIR PARENTS.