| With the rising incidence of obesity among young | | | | a supportive way. At young ages kids are very |
| people in today's computer and video game age | | | | vulnerable to being hurt by unbridled yelling and |
| fitness for kids has become a necessity. Prior to the | | | | screaming directed at them by impatient coaches and |
| influx of sedentary entertainment for young people | | | | parents who many times have unrealistic expectations |
| fitness was just a natural part of kids lives. Kids went | | | | of them. Let them have fun and feel included while at |
| outside more to run around, play games, ride bikes, | | | | the same time teaching proper techniques that can be |
| climb trees and any number of other things kids do, so | | | | reinforced over time which will build their confidence |
| specific fitness activities really weren't necessary. Now, | | | | and self esteem in those most vital years of their life. |
| this is not as often the case as the incidence of | | | | Here is just a quick sample of what may be a fun |
| childhood obesity and ill health among young people | | | | activity for kids that will get them going and keep them |
| has gone up significantly. So what is the key to getting | | | | active in an appropriate and safe way. This is directed |
| young people more active and reversing this trend? | | | | towards kids in the 5-7 age range but could be used |
| First and foremost it is making fitness for young people | | | | with older kids as well. Even though some of the skills |
| fun. Very few kids are going to be interested in sitting | | | | may seem basic many older kids and even adults |
| on machines and pushing weights around or doing 3 | | | | have never been taught how to perform them |
| sets of 10 reps on the bench press. They see no point | | | | correctly. The workout will be based on three skills and |
| in it, is there every really a point in it even for adults? | | | | followed by activities that will allow the practice of |
| Having fun and interacting with other kids is what they | | | | each one. The activities can be performed for as long |
| enjoy doing so fitness has to be made a part of those | | | | as desired with optimum being in the range of 5-10 |
| activities. It can't be some separate tedious activity that | | | | minutes total depending on the age of the kids. The |
| they must do every day. Forget the treadmills, weight | | | | younger they are the shorter the activity time as their |
| machines and other "fitness equipment" and let them | | | | attention span will be shorter and their endurance |
| learn to lift, use, and move their bodies in a natural | | | | capacity lower. |
| environment and you'll be off to a great start. | | | | Skills: |
| Kids still should be taught how to perform specific skills | | | | Walking- upright posture with head up and shoulders |
| and activities, right? | | | | back, arms should swing freely and naturally in |
| Absolutely, this is of utmost importance to not only their | | | | cadence with legs, feet should move in a heel, ball, toe |
| health but also their bodies natural development. Kids | | | | fashion, remember heel toe rock and roll |
| are made to move around and do things, but learning | | | | Squating- starting from an upright position feet shoulder |
| to do them in the proper way will go a long way | | | | width apart or slightly wider, eyes should be looking |
| towards keeping them healthy throughout their life. But | | | | straight ahead, knees bend then hips drop back and |
| at the same time the fun aspect of it can't be | | | | down while torso leans forward naturally from the |
| sacrificed or kids will learn to dislike activity as opposed | | | | waist to counter balance while back maintains its |
| to enjoying it. Starting at a young age teach them how | | | | natural curves at least in first part of movement, squat |
| to stop, start, run, slide, skip, jump and so forth. These | | | | all the way until thighs touch calves weight should |
| basic movements will help them develop proper motor | | | | remain on the heels throughout |
| skills for sports and for daily life activities. Keep in mind | | | | Throwing- starting with a 2 hand throw from chest and |
| that different kids will develop at different rates so | | | | then overhead and then one hand at a time right then |
| lumping them all together based on their age is not the | | | | left |
| best strategy. Some will need more work than others | | | | Activities: |
| depending on a whole host of factors. Suffice to say | | | | Walking Activity - in 30-60 sec intervals someone |
| kids need to be looked at and treated as individuals | | | | indicate various directions the kids must walk in using |
| when it comes to fitness and overall physical skill | | | | hand signals, forward, back, side to side, and at various |
| development. | | | | angles |
| What exactly should kids do for fitness? | | | | Squating Activity - in 30-60 sec intervals squat on que |
| Kids need structure, yet not too much structure. | | | | while moving in different directions, forward, back, side |
| Controlled chaos is a better way to put it. Fitness for | | | | to side, and at various angles |
| kids should start out by teaching them basic skills like | | | | Throwing Activity - in 30-60 sec intervals throw ball to |
| how to walk, run, skip, jump, bound, throw, catch, push, | | | | partner alternating between 2 hand chest, 2 hand |
| pull, squat, bend, and lunge etc. correctly within a | | | | overhead, one arm right and left |
| framework of fun. Teach the skill and then incorporate | | | | These activities can also be integrated together for |
| it into some sort of fun activity or game and then | | | | added stimulation after kids begin to get the hang of |
| monitor them while they are doing the activity. It is very | | | | them individually. They may also be combined and |
| important to realize that some kids will do things slightly | | | | made into a game with teams competing to see who |
| different than others and thus you should not be overly | | | | can complete various combinations the fastest while |
| strict when it comes to correction. Let them make | | | | still performing the skills correctly. |
| some errors, this way they will learn when corrected in | | | | |