On the edge of every swimming pool, a number of kids sit along the wall watching other kids play. In many cases, they are just taking a break or chatting with friends, but in others, the sidelines offer an alternative to revealing a lack of confidence or skill in the water. The same phenomenon can be seen on sports fields and school gyms around the world. Some kids avoid participation not because they don’t want to play, but because they lack the ability or confidence to do so. In sports medicine, we call this “physical literacy,” or the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life. No doubt, most parents want this skill for their children. But how exactly do they instill it?
[See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids’ Health.]
First, it’s important to realize that the three prongs of physical literacy are interrelated: The desire and confidence ultimately grow from the ability to participate with enough competence to enjoy the activity and play freely. Consider again those kids sitting along the pool’s edge. If they lack the skill to confidently jump into the deep end to swim with their friends, they are unlikely to swim in the ocean as teenagers or snorkel as adults. Similarly, kids who never develop proper running technique may sit out games of tag as kids, Ultimate Frisbee matches while in college or recreational tennis leagues as adults. Attaining physical literacy and developing “fundamental movement skills” as a child leads to a more active life as an adult.
The long-term value of teaching kids how their bodies work and how to safely and effectively exercise their muscles is a foundation for healthy lifestyle choices throughout life. In contrast, a lack of physical literacy as a child lays the groundwork for a sedentary lifestyle as a teen and young adult, which may lead to unhealthy weight gain, absenteeism from school, diminished academic performance and a greatly enhanced risk of being an obese adult. That’s no small consequence, since inactive adults earn less at work, have higher health care costs and take extra sick days, according to the Aspen Institute’s 2016 report on physical literacy. “Physical inactivity impairs quality of life, drains economies, and sets in motion a vicious cycle through role modeling,” the report says. In other words, physically illiterate children grow up to be sedentary adults, who then raise another generation of inactive children.
[See: 10 Healthy Habits of the ‘Naturally’ Thin.]
The good news is educators and school systems, fitness organizations, national sport organizations, health care and medical providers, and the media are making efforts to stop this cycle and instill physical literacy in today’s youth. But they can’t do it alone. Ultimately, parents are responsible for helping children achieve physical literacy. Here’s how:
1. Model active behavior.
Parents often dictate which activities their children participate in, particularly during the summer months. More importantly, parents serve as role models when it comes to living an active lifestyle. Sitting on the couch and telling your kids to go outside and play is not the best approach. Instead, integrate exercise and active play into your daily routine. Make activities that involve running, jumping, hopping, balancing, kicking, throwing and catching a part of your everyday life. Your kids will want to make it a part of theirs.
2. Embrace variety.
Emphasize the importance of engaging in a wide variety of sports or activities. Early specialization — think of those kids who play in year-round soccer leagues or on multiple baseball teams — can lead to early burnout or, worse yet, chronic injury. Too much of one thing is rarely good for children, and sports is no exception. Instead, have your kids try a little of everything so they can find out what they truly enjoy.
[See: 10 Fun Kid Activities for Adult Bodies and Minds.]
3. Become an advocate.
Don’t be afraid to speak up if your community lacks programs or environments that don’t promote physical activity. Become a leader in your community or school district by championing before- or after-school programs that enhance physical literacy, help organize a playground clean-up to make play time more inviting for kids or volunteer in existing youth programs. In other words: Don’t be like those kids sitting on the outside looking in. Instead, jump in and become a champion of physical literacy — the ripple effect will be well worth the splash.
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3 Ways to Raise Kids Who Will Be Active for Life originally appeared on usnews.com
