Kids today have more access to technological distractions than ever before.
Everywhere they turn they are bombarded with advertisements and slogans aimed at selling them the latest release that will be a relic in six months.
For parents, convincing a child to turn off the video games and go outside for some physical activity can be a difficult task, but with a little creativity, it can be done.
For younger kids, parents should do what they can to make outdoor activities accessible.
Trips to the park should be treated as rewards for good behavior.
Treating physical activity as a reward is a great way to get children motivated to stay fit while reinforcing in their minds that exercise is not punishment.
For parents who can't get to the park during the day, early evening and late afternoon walks around the block are simple and effective ways to burn calories while spending quality time with kids.
Progressively increase the length of the walks by adding a new lap every few weeks.
Keep the progression slow and steady to make sure the activity remains comfortable for the child.
If the child is of school age, attempt to organize play dates with other parents.
If play dates are organized, be sure to keep the kids away from the television and video games for as long as possible.
Encourage kids to play games that don't require electricity, like hide-and-seek, tag, throwing a baseball, throwing a football or shooting baskets.
Some kids will hide their enthusiasm about playing outdoors, but once they get started, asking them to come in for the night can be just as difficult as getting them out of the house in the first place.
Many kids, in the absence of technology, will turn to the outdoors in order to keep from getting bored.
Remove access to technology for a few hours a week by telling your children that electricity is off limits on certain days at certain times.
At first it may seem like a child with no access to electricity will do nothing but sit around for the allotted amount of time and wait for their "punishment" to be over, but if the parents are consistent with the "no electricity rule", the child should eventually understand that "no electricity" doesn't have to mean "no fun".
If given enough time, any child can be resourceful enough to have fun without the constant need for television or video games.
Everywhere they turn they are bombarded with advertisements and slogans aimed at selling them the latest release that will be a relic in six months.
For parents, convincing a child to turn off the video games and go outside for some physical activity can be a difficult task, but with a little creativity, it can be done.
For younger kids, parents should do what they can to make outdoor activities accessible.
Trips to the park should be treated as rewards for good behavior.
Treating physical activity as a reward is a great way to get children motivated to stay fit while reinforcing in their minds that exercise is not punishment.
For parents who can't get to the park during the day, early evening and late afternoon walks around the block are simple and effective ways to burn calories while spending quality time with kids.
Progressively increase the length of the walks by adding a new lap every few weeks.
Keep the progression slow and steady to make sure the activity remains comfortable for the child.
If the child is of school age, attempt to organize play dates with other parents.
If play dates are organized, be sure to keep the kids away from the television and video games for as long as possible.
Encourage kids to play games that don't require electricity, like hide-and-seek, tag, throwing a baseball, throwing a football or shooting baskets.
Some kids will hide their enthusiasm about playing outdoors, but once they get started, asking them to come in for the night can be just as difficult as getting them out of the house in the first place.
Many kids, in the absence of technology, will turn to the outdoors in order to keep from getting bored.
Remove access to technology for a few hours a week by telling your children that electricity is off limits on certain days at certain times.
At first it may seem like a child with no access to electricity will do nothing but sit around for the allotted amount of time and wait for their "punishment" to be over, but if the parents are consistent with the "no electricity rule", the child should eventually understand that "no electricity" doesn't have to mean "no fun".
If given enough time, any child can be resourceful enough to have fun without the constant need for television or video games.
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