Get Fit and Be Active!
Get Fit and Be Active is a downloadable PDF booklet for youth ages 6 to 17 that provides them with ideas to become more fit and active and encourages them to participate in the President's Physical Fitness Challenge.
Challenge Your Children
Read this thoughtful editorial regarding the need for parents to encourage their children to become more active. It gives several ideas for families to enjoy physical activities together.
Growing Up Fit: Pre-School Fitness Activities
This helpful lesson plan from Iowa State University explores the ways that parents and teachers can introduce and teach organized movement and activities to pre-schoolers. Through these activities children improve their motor skills and lay the foundation for a healthy, active childhood. This booklet give examples of concepts, activities and exercises. This is a 4-page free booklet that you can download at the link above.
Promoting Physical Activity With Your Kids
The CDC has a great brochure for parents that encourages them to promote physical activity with their kids. The brochure provides tips and ideas that help families get fit while having fun at the same time. For the English version of the brochure, click on the link above. To download this brochure in Spanish, click here. To download this brochure in Chinese, click here.
Things You Can Do Right Now..
Here are a few ideas that you can use today to help reduce sedentary behavior in your kids.
- Make a list of all the media that your family uses and enjoys. This includes: TV (cartoons, favorite tv shows, and don't forget to count ALL the sports stuff!), movies (DVD, TiVo, and VCR), Internet (surfing, homework, games, messaging, blogging), cellphone time, iPod, MP3, and CD's, Nintendo, Wii, Gameboy, XBox, etc. Make a list and estimate how much time the whole family spends collectively on each of these devices - you might be surprised how much time is devoted to these activities!
- Work with your family to decide goals on how much time will be spent on media activities and how much time can be dedicated to physical activities and having fun together.
- Set a limit on TV screen time (2 hours a day is a good limit)
- Make meal times special family times. Try to make sure the family eats their meals together, and be sure to turn off the tv. Talk with each other and learn about what went on during the day.
- Do not have a tv or computer in a child's room. They are more apt to spend more time watching TV or on the Internet if the device is in the room.
- Learn a new hobby or sport together.
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