Keeping kids active

By April Speck, Coordinator,

Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition

Anyone who’s seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active. As they get older, it can be a challenge for kids to get enough daily activity.

Benefits of Being Active

When kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Why? Because regular exercise provides these benefits:

1. Strong muscles and bones

2. Weight control

3. Decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes

4. Better sleep

5. A better outlook on life

Healthy, physically active kids also are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful.

What Motivates Kids?

So there’s a lot to gain from regular physical activity, but how do you encourage kids to do it? The three keys are:

1. Choosing the right activities for a child’s age: If you don’t, the child may be bored or frustrated.

2. Giving kids plenty of opportunity to be active: Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots.

3. Keeping the focus on fun: Kids won’t do something they don’t enjoy.

When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill whether it’s swimming or riding a tricycle improves their abilities and helps them feel accomplished, especially when the effort is noticed and praised. These good feelings often make kids want to continue the activity and even try others.

Upcoming Healthy Hometown Coalition events:

Walking volunteers needed

Healthy Hometown is always seeking youth volunteers to go walk at AES with elementary students between 7:20-7:45 am.

We are also seeking more youth volunteers to go to ECC every Tuesday during 2nd period intervention to facilitate Take 10!

Students who walk at AES or go to ECC will get volunteer hours to count on college applications.

Healthy Hometown Coalition meeting is Thursday, May 22

Healthy Hometown Coalition will meet Thursday, May 22nd 1 pm at Clinton County Board of Education.

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.