Get Active

Experts recommend that most children get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily.Physical activity is a great opportunity to spend undistracted, quality time with your kids.All family members should help select family activities.Here are some ways parents can help.

• Buy birthday and holiday presents that promote movement, such as roller blades, Frisbees, a croquet set, or a softball and glove.
• Involve your extended family and friends in your activities.
• Emphasize fun, not skill.
• Volunteer for physical activity events at your child's school.
• Find activities in your community, such as hiking trails, swimming pools, and skating rinks.
• Plan parties and vacations around movement and play.Instead of a birthday outing at the movies, how about miniature golf, or roller-skating?Or a vacation that includes swimming, camping, canoeing, and hiking?
• Your family does not have to launch into vigorous exercise regime to expend more energy.Try making changes in your everyday routine:walk instead of drive, park further from the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• A few changes in what you eat and how you play can make big changes in your health.
• Help children develop good physical activity habits by exercising with them regularly.Set a time each day to do activities.Do different activities every day.Start with 5 or 10 minutes a day and gradually increase the amount of time to a total of thirty minutes a day.Let the kids decide what activity to do and be the leader.

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