Back to School: Stay Active!

 

School has started!  Your children will be catching up with old friends and will be busy with homework.  You might need to help your child remember one more important part of the back to school routine:  Being physically active!

At School

• Encourage your child to be active during recess.  Ask them what their favorite games are when they go to PE each week.  You might even be able to do the same activity as a family at home!
• Physical education in schools is a great way for children to try different sports.  Ask them to tell you about what they did in PE class each week.
• Group sports and after schools activities might be available.  Check with your school to see what they offer.

At Home

• Have the kids take "brain breaks" after school and before homework.  Let your child do something active after a long day spent sitting in class.  Is there a basketball hoop or playground in the neighborhood?  Have the kids dance to some music around the house for a while if the weather is bad.
• Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the TV, playing video games, or using the phone.  Time spent in front of a screen is time they should be up and moving! 
• Give age-appropriate tasks to your child that allow them to move.  Have older children take out the garbage or help clean the house.  Let smaller children pick up sticks that have fallen in the yard and make a pile.  Send children up and down the stairs with tasks one at a time instead of all together - bring dirty laundry downstairs on one trip and take clean laundry up on another!
• Go for a walk as a family!  This is a great way to spend some time together while getting a bit of physical activity.
• Be a good role model.  Be active with your children and they will see that it is important.

Whatever your family enjoys doing to stay active, do it all year long.  Let's keep our kids moving!