Fitness Forward
Keeping our children active by finding the right niche.
by Meg Stolt Johannessen, MS, CSCS

PARENTGUIDE News April 2005

The need for children to be physically active every day is becoming more and more visible as our children are becoming more and more unfit and unhealthy. Childhood obesity is on the rise, as well as diseases related to inactivity and weight gain.

Our youth are either given poor choices for exercise, play and nutrition or they are not taught or empowered to make wise choices. Children face stress for success and achievement academically and socially that we may not have experienced in our own childhood. Physical activity, movement, exercise, sports and/or play are a much-needed outlet for our youth as society places higher demands for success from this group. Exercise or physical activity not only aids in your child’s physical and mental health, but socialization and stress reduction can also be a part of the activity in which he/she participates. We must teach our children how to create an active lifestyle to circumvent and eliminate the prevalence of unhealthy living that is observed today.

Sport and fitness facilities throughout the metropolitan area are introducing exercise, physical awareness and activity classes for our children. A child has a variety of choices from a team sport to a personal training session to water exercise, kickboxing, yoga or Pilates. It seems that society is bombarded not only with the reminder that children are becoming increasingly unfit, unhealthy and overweight, but also with the presentation of the activities that are available for youth that can potentially fix this epidemic. Additionally, team sports and the dream of playing professionally are also on the rise as children seek to follow their heroes by playing baseball, basketball or another team sport. These same facilities that offer exercise activities are also creating classes or training sessions geared for the child-athlete to become bigger, stronger and faster to separate him/herself from peers. It seems that on one hand we have the childhood obesity and inactivity epidemic and on the other, the ambition of becoming the next child-athletic prodigy.

Children learn from observation. They mimic the adults in their lives. If you enjoy yoga or a team sport, your child may be inclined to participate in similar activities. Children also want to try new things if their friends are doing it. Some may just love a game or an activity, just because. At this age, it is important to talk with your tween. He/she usually knows what he/she wants or doesn’t want. The willingness to try and to perform needs to come from the child, or adherence will not be successful. Encouraging your child to try something new can also be a great experience in the development of learning to be active. The positive social aspect of any group activity will encourage or promote longevity with your tween.

So, then how do we challenge our children to be active, fit and healthy while maintaining their safety? Where do you find the appropriate activities for your youth? In the bombardment of new activities, how do you locate a facility, coach or trainer that has the best interest of your child? How do you know what is the right fit? Sometimes, there is trial and error involved. As a parent, you need to know your kid. This in itself will give you the insight to direct your child in choosing an appropriate activity. In your quest to find an appropriate activity for your child, there are some things to keep in mind. A class or facility should allow you and your youth to observe or even participate on a trial basis. The instructor should provide a moment to speak with you, introducing him/herself. Feeling welcome is an intrinsic part of success. The instructor should learn your child’s name and be able to introduce your child to other participants in the class.

When examining a team sport, ask the coach his/her philosophy. Ask other team parents for feedback. Keep in mind that success and enjoyment is different for each child. Does the coaching philosophy meet your tween’s goals and objectives? Does the level of competition hinder or enhance the desire to play? Examine the time requirement. A child that wants to play for fun once a week, may not enjoy practicing three or four times a week and on weekends. Perhaps an introductory class is a better option if your child wants to try a new sport for fun.

If you are going the route of a private trainer or private coach, either independent or within a facility, it is important to speak with or interview that trainer. In this scenario it is imperative that your child develops the rapport with the trainer. It is also important that you know the coaching philosophy of this authority so that conflict does not arise later. Question the time and success that the trainer has experienced with other children or youth. You may request references. Include your son/daughter in this interview. Perhaps, the child can observe a session of another child or participate in a trial session. Again, your child is the participant and success relates to the relationship with the coach.

It is acceptable for your child to try something and not like it. As adults we do not always see the value of or enjoy the activities that we perform. We do, however, recognize that it is important to continue to seek out ways in which we can continue developing as a person. Your child is still learning from you, the parent. Continue to encourage, and your child will find an activity he/she loves.

Meg Stolt Johannessen, MS, CSCS, is a Sport Training specialist and owner of The Athlete’s Place, a company dedicated to the development and performance of athletes. Johannessen works with children and youth of all ages in athletic development. She can be reached at (917)205-0506 or the_athletes_place@hotmail.com.