SOS, Which sports activities for inactive children?
There’s less and less time allocated to physical education classes, and as parents, it’s only right that you should be concerned about keeping your children active. Being active promotes learning in many ways, and helps avoid the health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
However, not all children have a strong interest in sport, and some prefer to devote themselves to inactive hobbies (reading or playing video games, for example) rather than joining a sports team or taking up an individual sport. Is this the case for your children? If so, here are a few ideas to get them moving a little more, and who knows, maybe get them hooked on a particular sport!
Lead by example
We can’t stress it enough: you are the best person to set an example for your children. If you don’t get moving yourself, don’t be surprised if your children have no interest in physical activity. Get out there, have fun and show your family that physical activity can indeed be fun. If you don’t do some sporting activities yourself, make sure your children have an active role model around them. The desire to move is contagious!
Plan family activities
Why not take advantage of the weekend to get outdoors? All you have to do is pack a picnic and some nutritious snacks, then slip on a good pair of shoes for a family hike. You can also plan a multitude of other sporting activities with your children without having to break your back too much; bike rides, dodgeball or Frisbee games, treasure hunts… the possibilities are endless! Invite your children’s friends along for a fun activity, and you’re all set!
Don't be afraid of new things
Forget common team sports like field hockey or soccer for a while and introduce your kids to something new. Introduce them to kinball, volleyball, water polo or synchronized swimming! Are your kids a little more solitary and don’t really like team sports? Then go for climbing, hebertism, martial arts or kayaking. No matter what activity you choose, the idea is to think outside the box so your kids can find the sport they’re passionate about. Be creative and don’t hesitate to try more than one activity.
Avoid pressure
Finally, there’s no need to put pressure on your children. Focus your choice of activities on pleasure and discovery, without any competitive aspect. There’s nothing to stop you thinking about it if they discover a new passion and want to train more seriously.
What’s more, each person is different, and they may simply have no interest in sports. In that case, make active transportation part of their routine, and you’ll see: they’ll be more active without feeling obliged to follow a particular sport. Respect your children’s interests and don’t force them into activities they don’t enjoy.
Karl Demers
