It seems like gone are the days when a pick-up game of bat-and-ball, rounders, or red rover, hop scotch or jump rope was the norm for the grade school set. It seems that children now prefer to be plunked in front of the television, surfing the internet or playing the coolest game on their Nintendo DSI, or on the computer. For them, the part of their body that seems to get the most exercise today is a finger or two.
As students prepare to return to school in a couple of weeks, parents are encouraged to think outside the field to help their sedentary children discover the benefits and joy of physical activity. Cassie Benoit, 28, a certified personal trainer at Club One Fitness Center who has a bachelor's of science degree in athletic training, says it's important for parents to ensure that their children get active. Think outside the playing field While Benoit admits that not every child will be drawn to organized sports, she encourages parents to look for other activities their child will enjoy and give them a number of options until they find the right fit.
But she believes an active child begins with the parent setting the example and then doing what they can to keep their children active. She says it can be as simple as taking your child for a walk. Instead of dropping a child off to a friend's house a few blocks away, Benoit encourages parents to walk their children to the friend's house. Join in the game "Purchase a small ball, take them outside and throw the ball to each other. Move around. Have them get a friend and give them games," says Benoit, who is also a group exercise instructor and a certified spinning coach.
"We played things like red rover, baseball in the yard, handball ... I don't see kids playing these games anymore. Parents can have their children grab the neighbor and just play racing in the street or in the yard. That running up and down a few times is exercise. It's the simple things." She says 15 to 20 minutes to a half hour of play time -- even just once a week -- is a good way to get children moving. And if mom wants to join in, that's a bonus because mom gets in a little exercise as well. And depending on the age of the child, she suggests that mom takes the child walking.
Benoit chalks up the sedentary lifestyle of today's children to their exposure. "If they rarely see their parents being active then they won't be active themselves really." Limit screen and video game time While Benoit says it's okay for children to "veg" out in front of the TV from time to time and enjoy video and computer games, these periods should be limited. Activities that can give children exercise should be made fun. She encourages parents to make a game out of chores like cleaning up the play area or their room, depending on the child's age.
"There's a way you can always get kids into doing anything," she says. "But just make it fun. Make it rewarding." And if you have one of those children who is impossible to tear away from their video games, Benoit suggests giving children games to play that will get them moving. Even at Club One, where they have fitness classes geared specifically for children, Benoit says they set aside an hour of time when children are allowed to play Wii sports games which get the children jumping up and down and moving their arms -- another option for getting your children off the couch.
"If the kids must play the computer games or they must watch television, have something on that's going to keep them moving. I remember back in the day we had the 'Mickey Mouse Club' and we would do a workout with them, or they would show us some dance. These days you don't have a lot of those shows. There are a few, but it's important to get children moving," says Benoit. Noting that times have changed and some parents feel they don't have the time to take their children outdoors, Benoit says parents can opt to enroll their children at a facility that offers exercise classes that are children-focused, like the programs at Club One.
The facility has a program called Camp Little One for children ages four to nine. The class is held Monday 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. There is a class for toddlers, ages two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half on Thursday. And a regular children's "exer-citing" fitness class. "It's a chance for kids to have fun while doing fitness. We disguise fitness in activities so they're doing fun stuff -- they're playing with the parachute and playing games with each other. What we do is get their heart rate going, then bring their heart rate back down.
We also have them doing aerobics, some type of flexibility workout and we engage them using the balls, agility bands, and the cones, so they don't realize I'm doing the same thing mommy usually does in the gym. They're doing something fun, they're playing a game, but at the end of it, the kids are usually like whoa I'm tired. And they also learn nutritional facts like the importance of fruits and vegetables, and the importance of liquids, in a fun way," she says. For those parents who may not be able to afford a fitness class, Benoit says parents should strive to keep their children active, even if it's only for one day a week. Parents should also take note of what their children are eating.
"Instead of having fast food so often, make fast food a treat. You don't make a habit out of it and you don't make it a lifestyle. A burger with fries is good if they've had a great week, done their chores and kept their room clean. So they can have fast food at the end of the week but not everyday," Benoit emphasizes. Lead by example Parents should take the lead in the effort to get their children moving by setting the right example. Benoit says if children see their parents lounging in front of the TV every night they tend to emulate that behavior.
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