5 Ways to Promote Physical Activity Engagement in Kids

 

          5 Ways to Promote Physical Activity Engagement in Kids

Why is physical activity important for children and why are they not getting enough?

Physical activity plays a huge role in a child’s overall health and development. Children who do not receive an adequate amount of physical activity daily are at higher risk for obesity, diabetes, decreased academic performance, mental health & well being. School, homework loads, computers, video games, cell phones are all taking a huge cut into the time that kids have to be physically active. Researchers feel a leading cause of this decline in physical activity is a result of children suffering from too much structure and structured activities. A study published in The Physical Educator used individual interviews to develop a better understanding of children's perceptions, feelings, and enjoyment between unstructured (or free play) and structured physical activity. It was found that the majority of the participants chose unstructured play to be their favorite with common reasons such as less structure and more freedom. Children need to be excited and look forward to physical activity to maximize engagement and receive all the benefits from both and free play and structured physical activity. 

 

Major benefits of free play/unstructured activity time

• Improves social interaction with other children as well as adults

• Improves creative thinking and problem solving

• Allows a child to participate in activities of their own design

• Encourages children to express their emotions, feelings, ideas, etc.  

Major Benefits of Structured physical activity

• Permits learning and mastering of new fundamental movement skills such as balance, coordination, and strength 

• Improved cardiovascular fitness

• Boosts listening, attention, and behavior skills

• Promotes higher levels of physical activity 

5 ways health professionals, teachers, parents, and coaches can help promote more physical activity engagement in kids?  

In attempts to limit over structure in children, it is important to incorporate more free play and unstructured time in a child’s daily routine. Whether your child is at home, in school, at practice, or involved in extra-curricular activities, these 5 listed strategies can all be beneficial in helping to limit over structure and lack of interest as well as increasing physical activity engagement and enjoyment in kids. 

1. Coaches can frequently check up on their athletes to allow a safe space for the children to express their feelings, interests, emotions, etc.

2. Parents at home are recommended to keep their kid's extracurricular activities limited to prevent over structure. Parents should also make sure their children are getting enough physical activity by proving fun age-appropriate games, taking them to a park, etc. 

3. Gym teachers & coaches can offer a combination of free play and structured play during class or practice to maintain a healthy balance.

4. Parents, teachers, coaches, supervisors, and health professionals are all recommended to show high levels of engagement to keep the children captivated, interested, and ready to participate. 

5. Teachers can limit how long children sit sedentary in a class by adding in frequent movement breaks. It is also important to keep in my mind the amount of homework assigned to allow for more free time at home and limit over structure. 

For more ideas and information visit:

• https://www.cpha.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/resources/play/play_10perceptions_vs_fact_infographic_e.pdf

• https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adding-pa/activities-children.html

• https://playpowercanada.ca/landscape-architects/

                              Amanda Saucier

                                                                           Contact Info: amandasaucier5997@gmail.com

                                                            linkedin.com/in/amanda-saucier-9872481a3 

Movement Science Major, Sports Medicine Concentration, Psychology Minor Senior at Westfield State University, pursuing a Masters of Occupational Therapy program following graduation in 2021.

References:

Kinder, C., Gaudreault, K., Jenkins, J., Wade, C. and Woods, A., (2019). At-Risk Youth in an After-School

            Program: Structured vs. Unstructured Physical Activity. The Physical Educator, 76(5),                                pp.1157- 1180.      

Roach, L. and Keats, M., (2018). Skill-Based and Planned Active Play Versus Free-Play Effects on Fundamental Movement Skills in Preschoolers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 125(4), pp.651-668. 

Guthold, R., Stevens, G., Riley, L., & Bull, F. (2019). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: A pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1·6 million participants. The Lancet; Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 23-35. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30323-2.