My two daughters are 7 and 9 and both participate in seasonal team sports - soccer in the fall and spring and now that soccer season is over, they have just joined a pretty low key swim team that meets twice each week for an hour. They also ski at least once each weekend during the winter. That said, they sound pretty active, but they do not - beyond these scheduled activities - play outside or engage in “active play” every day. When they were toddlers and in pre-school, we would go to the playground each day, play in our yard, ride bikes and scooters, etc. Now they are (obviously) in grade school and they get home at 4 pm each day, they have homework, dinner, day is done. My fourth grader tells me they don’t go outside for daily recess anymore and often have “classroom recess” - no running around, apparently. Our family joined a gym this fall - where the girls go for swim team - and I showed them the gym where the treadmills, ellipticals, etc. are - and they both asked if they could “exercise” there (of course lured by the personal TVs on all the equipment).
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I have been wondering about this for a while - what age is appropriate for kids to “work out?” I know that I run or do some kind of strenuous exercise 5 or 6 days each week for up to an hour and it helps my mental state, ability to sleep, in addition to physical benefits. I see kids running 5Ks and I would love for my girls to love running like I do, but would hate to start too young and turn them off altogether. According to the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, all kids ages two and up should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to physical exercise every day and unfortunately, even the best schools often limit physical activity as the kids get older.
So I think we will hit the gym - or the trail at the park - as long as my kids are interested and of course having fun. Any parents of child runners or gym regulars out there? I would love to hear how you got your child interested in running or going to the gym.
11.09.09 @ 5:09 pm
Hi Plan B;
I was just reading your blog and wanted to comment on it. As a Personal trainer I have been asked this question by a number of my clients and here is what I tell them, 7 and 9 is to young to be hitting the weight room and running on a treadmill or using a bike. Kids should engage in activities that interest then, like swimming, riding the scooters, getting them outside is great. Even though the sports and PE guidelines say 60 minutes that is a bit much especially if your kids are not active in a sport. If you just want them to stay away from the TV for a few 30-40 minutes of play time is great. When I was that age we would go to the playground after school, or I would ride my bike to a friends, or even sign up for and after school dance or swim instruction. Then best thing to do is ask your kids what they like and what they would be more interested in participating in after a long school day. The chances of them wanting to go are greater and you are setting the path of exercise at a relatively young age. Running may or may not be there thing but putting them on a treadmill may make them hate it. Hope this helps and if you have any questions please let me know…I luv this stuff.
11.09.09 @ 8:36 pm
¿Por qué no hacen la página también en español? Sería excelente.
11.11.09 @ 1:44 pm
Where is the blog to vote Daryl Hall into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame? I really want to put my vote in and everyone else that I know. P.S. - The box set he just released is the greatest ever! ! ! Daryl go all the way…
Love always
11.15.09 @ 10:45 am
In response to Maria: Americans learn to speak English.
11.15.09 @ 3:22 pm
Wow Mary, how nice of you. Who’s to say Maria is even American? Other countries can access American websites, you know. And even if she is, the wonderful thing about America is that we are a great big melting pot with many different cultures and languages. YOUR ancestors were immigrants too.
Think about Maria the next time you visit a foreign country and expect everyone to speak English.