Most people know that regular exercise is good for the body, and this fact is especially true for children. The benefits of exercise for children include controlling their weight, building strong bones, better mental health, and an early start to preventing
cardiovascular problems when they are adults. For a lot of children, exercise just happens naturally through play and activity, but what if your child is one of the exceptions? How do you motivate them to exercise?
Probably the biggest motivator for children to exercise is the example you set for them. If you spend every night in front of the TV, they probably will be inclined to do the same. Get out and do something and include the children whenever possible. This not only helps them but helps you as well. If they don’t want to do a large amount of physical activity, encourage them to at least do a little each day. Offer rewards to them if they are reluctant to exercise and practice positive reinforcement. This might be a treat they can eat or letting doing some other activity which they enjoy, such as playing a board game or attending a sporting event.
Encourage your children to try a variety of sports when they are young. Perhaps they will find one which they really enjoy and begin to exercise regularly because of it. Praise them when they participate, not just when they do well, but for trying even if they weren’t one of the better players. Let them decide which sports they want to participate in and don’t coerce them to play the sport you want them to play.
Motivating children to exercise involves patience and setting the right example, and the health benefits your children will receive will last a lifetime.