by Joanne Greco

Created on: March 14, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2007

There are hundreds of articles written on how parents can get their child to be more physically active. I've read articles where they promote shutting off the television until the child had exercised enough, putting a child in sports and then making them "stick with it", even when the child doesn't like it and bribing them with rewards to get them to bike ride instead of play video games.

This is not one of those articles.

My tip for getting, and keeping, your child active is simple.

Start with yourself.

Let your children see YOU bike riding, instead of being on the computer.
Invite your child for a walk after dinner instead of watching your favorite television show.
Take up a sport together, as a family instead of expecting your child to do it alone.

It starts with you.

Model the behavior you want in your child. Your children watch you and learn from you. You help shape the way they view their world. Children can learn good exercise habits from their parents while their adult role models practice what they preach. The first step is examining your own behavior and recognizing how it influences your children.

Sit down with your family and brainstorm idea together. Allow your children as much input as you and your partner. If someone thinks of something that costs more money than is in your budget, think of ways, as a family, that the money could be saved up.

When you go to a park, instead of sitting on the bench and reading, play Frisbee with your children.
Whenever your children are with you, skip the elevator and take the stairs or park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store.
Come home with a pogo stick (we love ours) or a unicycle and play with it before your children do.
Buy two jump ropes and do some double dutch with them. Or try hopscotch

It's not too late to start right now. Today.

Be the change you want to see in your children.

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