• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shady Oak Primary School

  • What We Do
    • Culture
    • Collaboration
    • Critical Thinking
    • Communication
  • Who We Are
    • Teachers
    • Leadership
  • How We Do It
    • Child-centered Learning
    • Participatory Learning
    • Skills-focused Learning
    • Play-based Learning
  • Our School
    • Admissions Overview
    • School Forms
    • Tab Studio
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
    • Podcast
  • Events
  • ClassDojo
  • PTA
  • Employment
ENCOURAGING YOUR KIDS TO STAY FIT

ENCOURAGING YOUR KIDS TO STAY FIT

ENCOURAGING YOUR KIDS TO STAY FIT

Here’s a bit of trivia: today’s employed mother spends as much time with her kids as her stay-at-home counterpart spent forty or fifty years ago. Even if you learned about past generations primarily through old sitcoms, you know that the June Cleavers of those days didn’t devote every waking hour to counseling and educating their children. More often, they sent the kids out to play so Mom could be free of interruptions while cleaning house, preparing her contribution to the church fair, or visiting with her own friends.

ShadyOak-VideoGames

“Sending kids out to play” is a lost art these days. Even apart from worries about speeding cars or dangerous strangers, most parents find it easier to get the kids out from underfoot by letting them watch television or play with a computer; or else they feel obligated to engage their children in something “productive.” Unfortunately, much of what parents call “productive” follows the same line of thinking that has infested today’s workplaces and schools: work the mind nonstop and let the body worry about itself. 

How different from the days when kids were allowed to exercise their own imaginations inventing active games. And how detrimental to body and mind alike.

vinjeta-za-sve-stranne

" Regardless of your family situation, every child (and parent) needs to make physical fitness a primary life value. Physically fit people are not only healthier and more energetic: they’re happier, more confident, and also more innovative and intelligent. They even sleep better. "

vinjeta-za-sve-stranne

If your family has been neglecting physical fitness, here are a few ways to get your kids (and yourself) back into the habit.

Leave Work at Work

Granted, this isn’t 100 percent possible, especially if your kids’ school assigns regular homework. But at least allow some playtime after school rather than insisting all homework be finished immediately. Take an after-work physical activity break yourself. And make sure that any work, study, or extra-credit projects brought home are genuinely important and don’t take up every available hour.

ShadyOak-Outside

Schedule Regular, and Truly Active, Family Activities

Take walks together. Go for a family swim. Play Red Rover or volleyball. Sign up for a ropes course. Go camping or visit a sports resort, or take a bike tour, for your family vacation. Write these activities into your calendar and commit yourself to saying, “Sorry, that time is scheduled” when asked to volunteer for something or work late. (Believe me, your kids’ health and your family togetherness are at least as important as getting ahead in your career.)

Ask Your Doctor

ShadyOak-Primary

If your kids, or even more you yourself, have been habitually sedentary for months/years, don’t just plunge into vigorous exercise: demanding too much too soon is an invitation to real injury. Ask your family physician about planning a physical-activity program that works for your household. Also, don’t rush to buy fancy equipment or a gym membership: stay with no-cost activities until you know what you really enjoy.

Have Fun!

Adults as well as kids get much more from—and stick with—physical activities they truly enjoy. Choose “exercise” that feels like play rather than work, and it’ll pay double dividends!

Additional Tips

Taking the time to incorporate some self-care into your routine is so important.  Take a look at this in-depth, comprehensive guide on creating wellness routines: Click here for guide.

smile

WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN PROMOTE PEACE ON EARTH

By delder | January 2, 2021
Shady Oaks - Sheltered Kid

WHEN THE KIDS ARE HOME, Part 2

By delder | December 28, 2020
Cute preschooler girl has chosen a new lovely dress among a lot of clothes in child fashion store; she is happy. Sale, gifts, Christmas, holidays; beauty concept, place for your brand on tag

8 WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN SPREAD GOODWILL

By delder | December 26, 2020
kids and puppies

WHEN THE KIDS ARE HOME, Part 1

By delder | December 23, 2020
Shady Oak - confident teacher

SOCIAL DISTANCING 201 FOR TEACHERS

By delder | December 20, 2020
shadyoak-parent-homeschooling

SOCIAL DISTANCING 201 FOR PARENTS

By delder | December 16, 2020
Volunteer teacher helping a class of preschool kids drawing

TEACHING STUDENTS TO LOVE SCHOOL

By delder | December 15, 2020
holidays

SMALL GATHERING, GREAT JOY: HOW TO TRULY CELEBRATE WHEN YOUR HOLIDAYS ARE SCALED DOWN

By delder | December 15, 2020
Kids Cooking Together

SIMPLE RECIPES FOR COLD DAYS (AND NIGHTS) AT HOME

By delder | December 14, 2020
ShadyOak-ChristmasGifts

NEED A LITTLE HOLIDAY JOY IN YOUR HOME?

By delder | December 14, 2020

Today's affirmation:
"I CARE ENOUGH TO TRANSFORM THE GOOD INTO THE GREAT"

We are located at:
600 Main Street
Richmond, TX 77469
Tel: (281) 344-1291
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Shady Oak Primary School and boomtime , All Rights Reserved. • Email • Fine Print