Children + Exercise = Alert, Confident
Students.
Of course, regular physical activity helps
kids build healthy bones and muscles and maintain a healthy
weight. But exercise also promotes self-esteem, lessens
depression and anxiety, and helps kids stay alert in school.
How much does a kid need? At least 60 minutes
a day, experts say. There are simple ways to sneak in this time.
Take alonger walking route to the school bus in the morning.
After school, visit the park and shoot some hoops. Or go for a
family bike ride after dinner.
Electronic Amusements, Unplugged
Most pediatricians believe that too much
screen time—time spent watching TV and playing video and
computer games—can harm a child’s academic performance.
School-age kids shouldn’t get more than one to two hours of
screen time a day. To help pull your child away from the
screen, offer some options. Crafts, hobbies, and books are all
worthy distractions. Another hint: Keep TVs out of your
kids’ bedrooms, and keep the tube off during homework time.
Fuel Efficiency
Breakfast is the “most important meal of the
day” for good reason. Eating a good breakfast can sharpen a
child’s memory and improve school test scores. Children
also need help making healthy food choices beyond breakfast. Try
these tactics at home:
• Avoid junk food in the house, and skip the
soda. Also, limit juice intake!
• Practice healthy snacking. Good snacks
include low-fat yogurt, veggies and low-fat dip, and dried or
fresh fruit. Keep offering finicky eaters nutritious
items. Children may need to be exposed to a new food up to
10 times or more before they accept it.
Role Models
Most importantly, remember that setting a
good example by eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise is
key to getting your kids to adopt healthy lifestyles.
