The coronavirus situation is worsening again as the Omicron variant is spreading fast. As a result, kids are forced to stay at home, and parents are avoiding sending kids out. Due to this situation, kids these days are not as active as they are supposed to be. They spend more time glued to the screens than going outdoors. Parents should focus on keeping kids physically active while learning from home in such a situation. Here are some suggestions.
Ø Cosmic Kids Yoga
Introduce yoga and mindfulness to your kids
by visiting the Cosmic Kids YouTube page or streaming videos from the Cosmic
Kids app. Kids who learn yoga and mindfulness from a young age would likely do
better as adults than kids who didn’t learn these two essentials. Click here for more.
Ø Active Home Resource Center
Consider the free website of Active Home
Resource Center, where parents can access meaningful movement opportunities
that progress students toward physical education and social and emotional
learning outcomes. Visit the website here.
Ø Music + Movement Videos on YouTube
There are countless videos on YouTube that
help kids get on their feet and enjoy music while moving. It will make the
movements easier and more fun. Even adults can participate, and kids can
imitate their parents.
Ø Start Small
When teaching your kid to be physically
active, start with low-intensity options like short walks, low-intensity
cycling, walking on a treadmill, or low-intensity/low-impact fitness videos.
Ø Increase the Pace
Once your kid starts liking physical
activity, you can go for higher intensity activities like dancing, fitness
videos, sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc.), running, and jogging.
Ø 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count
You can also try the 5-2-1-0 method in
which you give your kid five or more servings of fruits and vegetables, ensure
2 hours or less screen time, 1 hour of physical activity, and 0 (or close to)
sugar-laden beverages.
Benefits of Being Active
When kids are active, they will have strong
bones and muscles, a healthy weight, better sleep, a better mindset, and a lesser
probability of developing type 2 diabetes.
How to Motivate a Kid to Stay Physically
Active While Learning from Home?
There are three simple ways to motivate
kids to stay physically active when learning from home.
Age Matters
Always choose the activity per your kids’
age. If you choose something too tough or too easy, your kid might not be
motivated to go for it.
Give them the Tools
Give the kids the tools they need to make
the activity fun. For instance, when picking soccer, give them the gear they
need. Similarly, give your kid their own yoga mat if you want them to try yoga.
Make it Fun
Make sure the activity you pick has a fun
element. Your kid should enjoy it and smile when they do it. It shouldn’t be
boring or mundane!
How Active Should a Kid Be?
According to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement
Guidelines, children and youth between the ages of 5 to 17 must do at least 60
minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. It should include
aerobic activities for at least three days every week and muscle/bone-strengthening
activities for at least three days every week
Sources:
http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/blog/individuals/coronavirus-covid-19-home-physical-activity-health/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/active-kids.html
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3935&language=English