I

Parents aranalzs
7o

rrnation
 Wh should ou encoura our
child to be actiue?
'As
e"parent Aou Uant Aouf chitd, to be healthg and.
happg. Frequent physical actiuitg cell help bA:

o Improuing health- phAsical actiuitg can help

build a healtha heart, deuelop strong muscles
and bones, reduce fat, and maA hep reduce the
risk of some chronic diseases preualent in later
tik.
o Reduclng ornxletg and, strece

. Helging your chlld feel good about

themselues

o Improuing social and ntoral deaelopment

o Increastng oppitttttnltles for Wur chtld to

mlx wtth others snd, mo;ke fficnds

If gour chitd"is to enjog all the benefits of actiuitg,

theg need to be actiue at home and during their
leisure time as well as at school, This is where Aou
can help.

,
I

Whot can I do to help?

1. Encourage your child to participate in PE lessons

Always encourage your child to participate in school PE lessons.
Only write notes for missing PE lessoris when this is absolutely
necessary due to medical reasons. If you child has specific needs
for PE (e.g. if they have asthma) discuss these with the PE
teacher - most of these c^anbe overcome if sensible precautions
are taken (e.9. in the case of asthma, your child takes an
appropriate inhaler prior to activity).

2. Ee a role model
Children like to copy the actions and mannerisms of their
parents and learn by watching what they do. Show your child
that you enjoy and value activity - spend time with them playing
and being active; walk and cycle on short journeys; show them
that you enjoy being physically active around the home.

ft
t'," t
y'
\""

+Nr
- l, , \.,..f'

3. Ilelp your chtld to learn sklllc

Help your child to learn basic skills such as running, jumping,
throwing, catching and kicking. Being able to do these will help
them participate in, and enjoy, many'common physical activities
and games. Don't forget, learning a new skill can take time.

4. Encourage. your chtld

Praise and encourage your child when they are taking part in an
activity, particularly when they are learning a new skill. Keep
your feedback positive and don't push hard - the emphasis
should be on having fun.
 5. Provide your child witn opportunities to be active
Look for opportunities for your child to be more active and
encourage them to take advantage of, some of these:
. As part of their euerydag routine
e.g. walking to school, plaging otttside rather than watching
T.V.
o through informal actiuitg in thOir leisure time
e.g. walking or cgcling withfamily andfriends, actiue plaA
. through taking part in specific actiuitg sessions in their
leisure time
e.g. afier school actiuitg clubs, actiuities on offer at the
leisure centre, local sporfs clubs

Speak to the parents of gour child's friends and see if their child is
interested in taking part in any of the actiuities. Children are more
likelg to take part in a new actiuitg if a friend is going along too, and
this can also help with sharihg the responsibititg for superuising
and/ or transporting children.

6. ?attlclpate la eetlvltlcc togathcr

Try and do some activity each week with your child and other
members of the family. Walking, cycling, swimming or playrng
ball \Mith your child will help them develop a positive attitude
about physical activity.
 /sm child doin
actiuit outside o
Does your child watch less than 3Vz ihours television each day?
Yes/No

Does your child walk o, to school? Yes/No

"y"lb
Does your child play outside most of the days? Yes/No

Does your child take part in organised sport or recreational

activities either at school (as part of after school clubs) or in the
local community? Yee/Ifo

Do you take part in activity as a family group (e.g. walking,

swimming or playrng active games)? Yes/to

All (YEStt answers

It is likely that your child is already participating in enough activity
outside of school. Encourage them to kcry ry t w gd, unrk!
'
All ..tO" enailGr3
Your child is almost certainly not taking part in enough activity
outside of school. Don't worry too much but it's time to start
encouraging them to do a little more - bttlld up graduallg, don't
expect them to make big changes overnight!

A mixture of 33lEgtt and 3'NOtt answers

Your child may not be enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle. If
they are not participating in 30-60 minutes most days of the week,
conslder utags ln whlch theg could do more.
 ,-

ra7
rooa and rest Are im ortant too!

x.
As well as being actiue, it is also important that Aour child. eats
well and hc-s adequate rest:

o Encoura.geAour child to hnue breakfast

before ttrcU leauefor school - set a good
example bg hauing breakfast gourself
o chitdren need to eat often especiallg when
theg are being actiue. Try to make sure
there are nutritious snacks auailable -
bananas are a.great source of energg!
o Try to sit down as a famitA for at least one
meal a dag. T[tis is a great time for talking
to gour child qbout what they haue been
doing that daA
o Try to make sure Aourchild has B-1Ohours
sleep each night
o Seta time for Aour child to go to bed..Try
and spend a little time reading uith them
before theg go to bed - this utill help them
unwind and improue their reading.