By Kylee Harris
When it comes to kids’ fitness in New Zealand, there’s good and bad news. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Only 7% of kids aged 5 to 17 engage in moderate to vigorous daily physical activity for 60 minutes daily, as recommended by New Zealand’s Physical Activity Outlines. The good news is that sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, tackle football, and gymnastics are attracting thousands of kids. If you have little ones and you want to instil the joy of exercise in them, one thing to avoid is “forcing” or nagging them to be more active, since doing so might have the opposite effect. Instead, look for ways to inspire and motivate them, so that they ask you to sign them up for their favourite sports. The following ideas may be of help.
Only 7% of kids aged 5 to 17 engage in moderate to vigorous daily physical activity for 60 minutes daily, as recommended by New Zealand’s Physical Activity Outlines.
Inspirational Stories
Everyone loves a good story. Scientists are discovering that chemicals like cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin are released in the brain when we are told a story. The next time you are reading to your kids or recommending reading material, turn your eye to the life story of a baseball star, footballer legend, or tennis champ. You can focus on athletes like Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand but managed to defy expectations and become a successful Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Or what about Johan Lomu, the legendary All Blacks winger who battled severe kidney disease throughout much of his career? Despite his illness, he revolutionised rugby with his size, power, and speed. And let’s not forget Sir John Kirwan, another All Blacks player who struggled with severe depression at the peak of his career. His openness about his struggles has served to break down stigmas and encourage others to seek help. There are many “teachable moments” in sport that parents can use to illuminate their kids on key life skills and values.
Leading by Example
Active parents are more likely to have active kids, so taking part in sport yourself is vital. One study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, for instance, found that children whose parents regularly engage in physical activity are 5.8 times more likely to participate in organised sports or physical activity. What’s more, when families engage in physical activity together, they obtain a host of benefits, including building stronger family bonds, enjoying greater emotional well-being, and spending screen-free time together.
