In this modern age, children have access to numerous entertainment items like TV, computers and video games. Most of the children of these times are very much interested in viewing television. Modern children like to spend hours together in front of computer screen or enjoy playing video games. It is very true that these hobbies help in the development of brain of children, if these hobbies are used in a controlled way. But most of the children and teens of modern times are using these items excessively. As we all are aware that excess of everything is bad, this comes good for children also. Intellectual, emotional, social and physical health of a child is affected adversely if the child is addicted excessively to watching TV, computer or playing video games.
Most of the young people of today have an idle lifestyle. The results of a survey by the American Medical Association have shown that two out of three adolescents are unable to pass a basic fitness test. This report has also shown that the addiction of children to smoking cigarettes or marijuana and drinking is related to children not being physically active. The children who do not participate in physical activity can also become undisciplined, for example not wearing a seat belt.
Physical exercise is very important for children. Physical exercise and active lifestyle is very beneficial to children and it is less likely that a physically active child will be addicted to drugs, smoking or become overweight. If this habit of daily exercising is in- calculated at an early stage there are greater chances that your children will carry this habit when they become adult. In case your children are grown up, then also you can encourage them to take up the physical exercise.
Never try to force the children to go for physical exercises. This is very important that you allow the children to choose their own routine of physical exercise. If you try to force the children with the activities of your choice like yoga or jogging where as your kid wants to skate, dance, snowboard, bicycle, surf, or play soccer, then there are chances that they may get scared of physical exercises. Have counseling with your children and try to know their choices and then find the ways and means to introduce these activities into their day-to-day life.
There are many physical activities available in this modern age which is suitable for younger as well as grown up children. For example the younger kids may like to do cycling, ski pits, jump ropes, kick balls, trampolines or any other sport of their individual interest. Grown up children may choose to play tennis or any other team sport, take up dancing, or may like to go to health clubs where they get an opportunity to interact with different people. Parents should try and introduce their children some other sports like roller blades and skateboards.
Parents can also motivate their children to take up physical exercises by organizing physical activities for the whole family from time to time, which can contribute to the good health of all the family members. These family sports can be chosen from hiking, skiing, nature walks, rock climbing, walking pets, or a family baseball game in the back yard. All this will attract the kids towards physical activities.