How to Inspire a Love of Movement from an Early Age

Physical activity is essential for overall health and wellbeing, but it can be challenging to inspire children to be active in today’s digital world. In this post, we’ll share some tips for inspiring a love of movement from an early age to set children up for a lifetime of physical activity.

The Love of Movement Starts at Home

The love of movement starts at home. As parents, we have a unique opportunity to inspire and encourage our children to be physically active from an early age (1 Trusted Source
PubMed Central
Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health
Go to source ). Here are some ways that parents can help promote physical activity and a love of movement in their children:

1. Make physical activity fun: Children are more likely to be active if they enjoy the activity. As parents, we can make physical activity fun by encouraging play and exploration, offering a variety of activities, and focusing on the joy of movement rather than performance or competition.
2. Be a role model: Children are more likely to be active if they see their parents being active. As parents, we can be role models for our children by being physically active ourselves. This can include activities like taking family walks, bike rides, or hikes, encouraging our children to join us in our activities, and making physical activity a regular part of our family routine.
3. Encourage variety: Children may get bored with the same activities over time. As parents, we can encourage variety by offering a range of activities, such as swimming, martial arts, gymnastics, and supporting our children as they explore different options.
4. Limit screen time: Excessive screen time can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle and may discourage physical activity. As parents, we can limit screen time and encourage outdoor play, and alternative activities like board games or craft to promote a more active lifestyle.
5. Make it social: Physical activity can be a social activity, which can help children develop social skills and make friends. As parents, we can encourage our children to participate in group activities like team sports, dance classes, or playgroups. These activities can help our children develop social connections and a sense of community around physical activity.
6. Celebrate achievements: Celebrating physical achievements can help encourage children to continue being active. As parents, we can celebrate milestones like learning a new skill, completing a physical challenge, or participating in a community event. Celebrating physical activity can help build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
7. Keep it safe: Safety is key when it comes to physical activity. As parents, we can ensure that our children are wearing appropriate safety gear, such as helmets or knee pads, and that they understand the importance of following safety rules. Keeping physical activity safe can help prevent injuries and encourage a love of movement.

By promoting physical activity and a love of movement in our children, we can set them up for a lifetime of good health and wellbeing. Remember that physical activity doesn’t have to be structured or formal – even simple activities like playing outside or dancing around the house can help promote a love of movement. As parents, we have the power to inspire and encourage our children to be physically active and develop a lifelong love of movement.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Start small: Don’t expect your child to be able to participate in long or strenuous activities right away. Start with short and simple activities that are age-appropriate and gradually build up over time.
2. Make it a habit: Set a regular time for physical activity and make it a part of your daily routine. This can help establish healthy habits and make physical activity a natural part of your child’s life.
3. Be encouraging: Encourage your child to try new things and celebrate their efforts, even if they don’t immediately succeed. Positive reinforcement can help build confidence and a love of movement.
4. Be patient: Your child may not immediately take to physical activity, and that’s okay. Be patient and persistent, and keep offering opportunities to be active.
5. Get creative: Physical activity doesn’t have to be limited to traditional sports or activities. Get creative and find ways to incorporate movement into everyday life, such as dancing while cooking or playing active games indoors on rainy days.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Kids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents aged 6-17 years should aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This should include a combination of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity, such as running or jumping, and muscle-strengthening activities, such as push-ups or gymnastics, at least three days per week.

Here are some additional guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Preschool-aged children (3-5 years) (2 Trusted Source
   PubMed Central
   Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health
   Go to source ) should be physically active throughout the day, with at least three hours per day of active play.
2. Children and adolescents should participate in a variety of activities, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities.
3. Aerobic activity should make up the majority of a child’s 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This can include activities like brisk walking, running, or dancing.
4. Muscle-strengthening activities should be incorporated at least three days per week and can include activities like push-ups, sit-ups, or gymnastics.
5. Bone-strengthening activities, such as running or jumping, should also be incorporated at least three days per week.

The Bottom Line

Encouraging physical activity and a love of movement from an early age can set your child up for a lifetime of good health and wellbeing. By making physical activity fun, being a positive role model, offering a variety of activities, limiting screen time, making it social, celebrating achievements, and keeping it safe, you can help your child develop a love of movement that will last a lifetime. Remember to be patient and persistent, and to encourage your child to try new things and find activities they enjoy. By following physical activity guidelines for kids and making physical activity a regular part of your family routine, you can help your child establish healthy habits and a foundation for a lifetime of physical activity and good health.