Getting the kids back outside
So when I was a kid, I’d play football outside from the minute school finished to 9 at night. I would play football in the playground before school, at break and at lunch time. I wouldn’t stop even when my back was tired and my feet hurt. Everyone played football, virtually non-stop, so we must have been fantastically fit for 12 year olds. Ok, the weight of the world has taken away most of my spare time, but I still manage to cycle each evening and sail every weekend.
Is there a link between being a healthy and active youngster and remaining healthy and active when you become an adult? I personally think not, as many of my friends who used to beat me at cross country running now can only beat me in an “eat the pie” contest. However, I still think that it is vital for the long term health and well-being of a child to excercise daily, and know that a kid who truly enjoys sports will continue to participate into adulthood.
Now then, with Playstations, Xboxs, Sky TV and Gameboys being at the top of most kids activities list, what can we do as parents to encourage outdoor activites? To start with, it has to be fun. Not fun for you, the parent, but fun for the kids. If they want to take up a sport, no matter how vague or obscure, we should strive to do what ever it takes to allow them to participate. So many times i’ve seen kids complaining about having to play Rugby because it’s too rough or cold, or Football because the acting is hard. If kids learn to hate sport when they are young and impressionable then they will never have the confidence or motivation to get down to the local sports centre when they are adults.
Rather than telling your kids what they should play, ask them what they want to do. If they say Paintballing, then take them. If they want to try out surfing, then book a holiday to Cornwall. Karate? Get them to the Dojo. If we can encourage our kids to play outside (in safety) then we have done our job.
Courtesy of Mikecraft photography
Making HouseWork Fun!
Recently I came across a post on a blog which detailed how kid’s often find fun in stuff that most adults find boring and have trialled it with some success!
Most parents try get their children into a daily routine for working and having fun together. (this also enables them to be subconsciously prepared for working life 
)
Most kids ages 3 and 7 are perfect to be big helpers although there is no age limit!! Even big kids like me can get in on the fun!
Stuff like folding their P.J.s, making breakfast and other morning chores can be done as group participation and gives children something to look forward to in the morning. It may be a bit more work for you but it will be worth it!
If you need to do some weeding and bush pruning get them involved. They’ll be excited to tell people about their accomplishments and share the stories of bugs, worms and bees they had encountered along the way.
Kids love to help and it enhances their sense of self-worth to be included in adult chores. The chore helper routine also keeps kids physically active and replaces sitting in front of the T.V. in the morning.
They are also learning skills they will need as adults and increasing their understanding of the world around them.
If you have any kids/chore stories please post a comment and say what your “chore story” is!
It Begins!
Welcome to Whizzkids Blog!
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