Helpful information on how to encourage your child to be active
Staying active is important for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Getting Outdoors – currently the government advises we can go outside once a day for exercise, providing your household is free from coronavirus symptoms. You and your child can go for a local walk, bike ride, or run. You could look out for rainbows and pictures in neighbour’s windows. When outdoors you need to be very careful and keep two metres away from other people who don’t live in your home. Make sure your child understands what two metres distance from other people means, keeping in mind your child’s age and stage of development. For example, show them physically what two metres looks like by counting how many steps it takes to make two metres.
Staying indoors – over long periods of time, this can become boring or stressful which can impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Try to think about ways in which your family can be physically active indoors as well; building an obstacle course, hide and seek, dancing, helping with chores around the house, joining in with The Body Coach. Relaxation activities such as those on Cosmic Kids Yoga and Calm Zone will help children stay calm, active and enjoy time together with you.
Keeping active minds – one way this can be achieved is through play, fun activities or games such as puzzles, board games, work from school, colouring, playing cards, magic tricks, arts and crafts, eye spy etc. Spending lots of free time indoors can be used as an opportunity to start a new hobby or build on a new skill for you or your child and help add structure to the day. For example, involve your child in baking or learning to cook a meal, planning a family trip for the future, completing a puzzle or read together with your child. This can help you and your family connect, bond, and have fun together. It is important for children to experience success and receive praise and acknowledgement for hard work and effort.
Use of Technology – consider how you can use screen time/technology in alternative ways. There is a range of resources available online for children of different ages and for parents/carers as another way to connect and keep active. For example, you can take a virtual tour together with your child to explore museums and historical/educational sites on Virtual Tours, access books through the Open Library or visit zoos across the world using the link Zoo Live Streams to learn about animals, plants and insects Try to have conversations about what you are both seeing to help your child develop their understanding and giving them a sense of achievement from their activities.
