Most children stop practicing movement when it is associated with low
performance or negative feedback. You may have a star athlete in your family,
as well as a non-athletic child, who feels best when twirling. So, create an
environment that encourages children to do what feels good to them.
associated with low performance or the area where you live. Use a local lake workstation for the family computer and
negative feedback. You may have a or pool for swimming competitions, or break for two-minute exercise bouts dur-
star athlete in your family, as well as a take advantage of the local park, which ing television commercials.
non-athletic child, who feels best when often has an exercise circuit that affords It is vital that parents lead by
twirling. So, create an environment that spontaneous competitions. example in every area of life. Even if you
encourages children to do what feels regularly exercise at a gym or health club,
good to them. Movement is movement. Minimize Screen time your children may not see you exercise.
The phenomenon of hyper-organized Computers, television, video games, Chances are, if you get up, turn off the
exercise is specific to the American and texting devices are amazing feats of television and embark upon a quick walk
culture; but all over the world, spontane- technology that, collectively, have the around the block, your kids will enjoy
ous dancing, wiggling or jumping is the potential to rob us of wellness by taking both the movement and the time spent
norm. And other populations generally us off of our feet. First, have your family together.
weigh less than we do. sit down and add up all the hours they Biomechanist Katy Santiago has a
While most humans have an in- spend sitting in front of a screen. Once masters of science, is an expert in physics
nate love of movement, many children you have a total for each person, you can of the human body, and director of the
shy away from sports. To get these kids change habits in two ways: by progres- Restorative Exercise Institute in Ventura, CA.
moving, remember that ‘play’ is what we sively decreasing total screen time by 10 The institute’s corrective exercise programs
called movement before we redefined it percent each month, and by standing are available on DVD at
as exercise. Incorporate natural move- during screen time. Create a standing
RestorativeExercise.com.
ment into fun family rituals. The follow-
ing can serve as idea-starters:
Balance Games
Balance is one of those skills that
tends to decrease with age, simply
because we stop practicing it. Wearing
shoes is another habit that decreases the
ability of the foot to balance. So, make
home a shoe-free zone inside, and chal-
lenge the entire family to join in simple
balance games. Examples include doing
assisted headstands, standing on one
foot with eyes closed, and walking with a
book on your head.
Jump Rope Challenge
Did you know that children who
jump 200 times a day can increase their
bone density in less than eight weeks?
Try leading your kids through different
jumping challenges, such as hopping
on one foot or creating jumping dance
routines.
Family Olympics
Have each family member pick
out an event of his or her choice. Hula-
hooping, balancing on one foot, bike
riding and hopscotch are standard
favorites. Other games make the most of
August 2008 43
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