Parents often come up with excuses for not encouraging kids into having an active lifestyle. Parents often say “but our kids are already very stressed, they have monthly exams and tests, there is so much competition and besides, kids don’t listen to us.” But parents often do not realise that only an active body houses an active mind and no matter how difficult it is to have an active lifestyle, it is worth it.

Rama Dhawan, a resident of Thane, says, “The biggest challenge I faced was to lure my son Aditya to take up some physical activity. My son was never overweight but the fact that he was lazy and just watched TV once back from school was my concern. So as his birthday gift I decided to gift him a six-day outdoor camp that was an eye opener. He learnt trekking, rifle shooting, yoga, basketball and swimming. After coming back from the camp he told us that he loved his swimming lessons and took it up as a regular class. And when it comes to computer games he is just allowed to play them the day he does not have tuitions.”

Most parents believe that their kids are too busy with studies and cannot be encouraged to take up something new. The only way to make it work is first the parents have to be convinced that physical activity is important. The next step is convincing kids. “Kids just need to be told that both aspects (studies and physical fitness) are equally important and each one complements the other. Kids can also be told that that balancing and time management is something they will have to do in college and professional lives also so it makes sense so start early,” says Kasber Augustine, who runs western dance classes for kids of various age groups.

Anil P, a young father and a self confessed fitness enthusiast opines, “The best way to inculcate fitness habits among kids is by taking them outdoors and playing with them regularly. This would soon become a habit for the young kids. Adding swimming or cycling in the routine will ensure fitness and all round development. As a parent I ensure that my kids enjoy what they are doing, whether it is cycling, playing badminton or throw ball. Playing with them gives them the motivation to play and also keeps them fit.”

A major complaint voiced by most parents is that it is difficult to convince kids and pressurising their little ones always backfires. While handling such kids it is important for parents to realise that showing them the way is at least your duty whether they take it or not it’s entirely up to them. Also, seeking help from a teacher they blindly follow or an aunt they particularly admire may help kids listen. Famous danseuse Sonal Mansingh, who also runs a dance academy, believes that pressurising kids is not the solution. “Kids just need to be given a conducive environment and they need to be shown how rich our darohar (referring to Vedas, epics, yoga and Indian culture) is. Once kids realise this they learn really fast. They need to be told that one can find answers to almost all problems of life through this.”

Another advantage of encouraging kids to take part in team sports and fitness programmes is that it boosts kids' self-esteem, coordination and helps them learn how to work with other kids and adults. But when is the right age to introduce such concepts is a cause of worry for many parents. Ideally until six or seven most kids do not have the physical skills or the attention span to learn a sport. But disciplining the child should begin as early as two. Good habits like taking the child for a jog or encouraging him to play games like Frisbee or catch-catch with him which will be safe for the child will introduce him to the benefits of staying fit.

Varkha Chulani, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist states that nothing works better than parents setting an example in front of the kids. “The more kids see you enjoying outdoors the more kids are likely to play outdoor games. Parents need to set an example in front of the little ones. Also, the way to limit their TV and computer games is disciplining the child. For instance I allow my child to watch TV only for half an hour in a day. She is allowed to decide what she wants to watch and no one interrupts her during that time. Also, on a day the child does not listen we should punish the child. And on another day good behaviour should be rewarded. It could be verbal reinforcement like praising the child or some activity reinforcement like taking him/her for a movie or playing monopoly with the child or materialistic reinforcement like buying something for the child. Also, begin disciplining the child as early as two years as the earlier we start the better it is for all involved.”

Pic: Josephine Carino