Making Fitness Fun

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday June 13, 2007

ILSA CUNNINGHAM

If kids enjoy being active, they'll keep doing it, writes ILSA CUNNINGHAM.

Want to know the key to keeping kids fit? Get them interested in exercise as early as possible says fitness instructor Amy Watson.

"There's plenty of things parents can do to get (little kids) active, like taking them to the park, hand clapping, and getting them to see how many seconds they can balance on their bottom while you're cooking dinner," she says.

The Beaton Park Leisure Centre gymnastics supervisor is involved in the centre's kindy gym class.

For eight-month-olds through to preschoolers, the tri-weekly class encourages motor skills development while also leading to the strengthening of bonds between parent and child.

The class introduces kids to movement to music, and basic skills like throwing a ball, balancing and climbing.

These skills form the foundation for activities outside kindy gym time, which the parent can encourage their child to take part in.

"It's all about getting them into the habit. If you can find at an early age something they like doing, this helps for later on," Watson says.

"Basic skills like throwing, catching and running are a good background before they go to school."

Once at school, children's trainer Tracy Pendergast hopes to keep them on track.

The Kidzshape business owner runs a weekly after-school class at Warilla Public School for five to 12-year-olds.

The class is colourful and creative, in an attempt to keep children entertained in an interesting and variable environment.

Pendergast says the class appeals to many kids who don't enjoy being involved in team sports.

"They socialise with each other, which builds self-esteem and confidence," she says.

She believes making exercise enjoyable is the key to keeping kids interested in fitness as they grow up.

She says there are limitless activities parents can involve their children in without joining a class.

Activities could include: getting them to compete against each other or the clock to put balls in a bucket, playing with a frisbee, beating the dog to get the ball, using hula hoops, taking turns on a trampoline, climbing trees or playing chasing games.

Other suggestions include placing pool noodles on the ground and balancing on them, or jumping over them.

She also stresses the importance of teaching kids healthy eating habits early.

Pendergast has three children who, like most kids, enjoy fast food.

She occasionally allows them a fat-laden treat, but only if they undertake a reasonable amount of exercise afterwards.

She's also discovered rewards are a good way to encourage healthy eating.

Pendergast suggests having a chart on the wall, and every time your child eats something healthy that they don't like, reward them with a sticker on the chart.

But above all, she believes parents must lead by example.

"If their parents are active, the children will be active," she says.

"A parent could teach them to ride a bike or use a scooter."

But Watson cautions that kids shouldn't be pushed into anything they don't want to do.

"Try to get them involved in something they are interested in, especially when they're young," she says.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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