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Do you remember the days when parents sent their kids outside and told them to
come back home when the sun went down? Life seemed so much better and simpler back then. Nowadays, most kids are hooked on video games, TV shows, movies, computers and smartphones. I know for me, as well as my kids, sports are a very important part of our lives. It's difficult to separate our youngsters from their screens and get them involved in physical activities. Follow this advice and you just might get your child, tween or teen off the couch and onto the field of play. Make Exercise Fun Too many parents and coaches take youth sports more seriously than the kids who actually engage in such competitions. Do not attempt to live vicariously through your child. Let him try out an array of sports that pique his interest and settle on those that provide him with the most enjoyable experiences. If your child lacks athletic ability or shows no interest in sports, don't give up. Encourage him to hike, jog, sprint, swim or bike. Removing sports' competitive element just might be enough to get him off the couch and onto his feet. Restrict Screen Time Plenty of parents let their kids play video games and watch TV for several hours a day. Make your child set a timer every time he turns on his video game or sits down for some TV watching. Allow him a single hour per screen session. Once the timer goes off, it is time to head outside for some exercise. If he spends an hour outdoors exercising, consider rewarding him with an extra half-hour of screen-time. Be A Supporter, Not A Critic Though the best parents do not consider themselves to be their child's friend, they still lend support. A screen-addicted child should not be lambasted for his laziness. Set an example by getting your own rear end off the couch and outdoors for some physical activity. Teach your child how to play a sport, spend time practicing athletics with him and praise him for his fitness accomplishments. The key is to surround the sports experience with positive feelings, thoughts and reinforcement to increase the odds of him sticking with the activity for the long haul. Sports Are About The Experience, Not The Score Couch potato kids usually lack athletic ability. Don't let your child's lack of talent cause a bad attitude. Make it perfectly clear that the point of engaging in sports is to build one's health and establish friendships rather than winning the game by a large margin. Are you on the prowl for the perfect workout routine for yourself or your child? Ralph Roberts Training is here to help. We offer baseball training for kids as well as other fitness activities. Reach out and we'll get the ball rolling on an exercise routine that is uniquely tailored to your (or your child's physical fitness goals. |
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