Children and adolescents are naturally physically active, and they need opportunities to be active and to learn skills. They benefit from encouragement from parents and other adults. Adults can promote age-appropriate activity in children and adolescents through these steps:
- Start early. Young children love to play and be active. Encouraging lots of safe and unstructured movement and play at home and in the neighborhood can help build a strong foundation in which children understand that being physically active can and should be a healthy habit throughout their lives.
- School-aged children need time for active play. Through recess, physical activity breaks, physical education classes, team and individual sports and other after-school programs, and active time with family and friends, youth can learn about physical activity and spend time doing it.
- Provide youth with positive feedback and good role models. Parents, caregivers, and teachers should model and encourage an active lifestyle for children. Praise, rewards, and encouragement help children to be active. Being active as a family is a great way to model and encourage physical activity.
- Help young people learn skills required to do physical activity safely. As appropriate for their age, youth need to understand how to regulate the intensity of activity, increase physical activity gradually over time, set goals, use protective gear and proper equipment, follow rules, and avoid injuries.
- Promote activities that set the basis for a lifetime of activity. Young people should experience noncompetitive activities, and activities that do not require above-average athletic skills.
You can read the complete article at: https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/pdf/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf
