Trying lots of different activities and sports – and even playing more than one sport at a time – helps children sort out what they like and are good at. Like most things, if children do well at sports or a particular activity, they’re more likely to stay interested.
Most primary school children need plenty of unstructured activity such as running and chasing and playground games, in addition to organised sports.
At around five, children are often keen to help with physically engaging household tasks such as gardening or washing the car – something that most parents are equally keen to encourage!
Many children are ready for organised sport by eight years of age. This doesn't mean a full-speed cricket game with a hard cricket ball, though. Try starting with something softer, like a tennis ball, which will help your child develop skills without getting hurt or losing confidence. You can also get them interested earlier through play.
School-age kids will still need your help to develop physical skills and to learn how to cope with the emotions of winning and losing.
If your child becomes frustrated, it might be a good idea to suggest a change of activity so that he doesn't lose interest in participating in sport.
Different kids excel at and enjoy different activities, so it’s good for your child to try a variety of sports, both team and individual, and to be involved in more than one sport at a time.
Other kids will prefer non-sport activities and it is important they have hobbies that will keep them active as they get older.
Activity: how much is enough?
It's good for kids to have at least two hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
This kind of activity can be enjoyed in small blocks of time, about 5-15 minutes, building up to around two hours over the day. Moderate activities are about as intense as a brisk walk. Vigorous activities are more likely to get your child huffing and puffing and to build up a sweat.
* It's good for kids to do at least two hours of activity every day.
* Activity can be fun things like playing at the playground or swimming at the beach.
* Walking to child care or school is a great way for both of you to enjoy physical activity.
Physical activity is not necessarily ‘exercise’. Your child doesn’t have to play an organised sport or do push-ups to achieve benefits. Simple activities such as going for walks and spending time at the playground are fun ways to get him active. And walking to child care, kinder or school can make a huge impact on the amount of physical activity he is getting. Playing chasey or keepings off in the yard are also great activities.
If you introduce new games or skills slowly and gently, children will be more able to learn the skills, less likely to get hurt, and will become more confident about trying new activities.
source: raisingchildren.net.au/
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parents in control
Renowned social anthropologist Margaret Mead says that we are ignoring the basic division of human kind into the two genders. By doing so we are imposing the activities meant for one on the other and this causes a loss to society. Another mistake is the adult in choosing hobbies and toys for children unknowingly puts forward his or her unfulfilled wishes. That too confuses the child.
source: EzineArticles.com/
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also this month:
* DO YOU REMEMBER SEPTEMBER?
* TWEENS - WHO ARE THEY?
* FLYING PIGS
* TRAVEL TO HAMBURG
* AUTUMN GOODIES
* ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL KIDS
* CANTON ZÜRICH
* BELINDA BALSCHEIT STORY
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* ARCHIVE