Have you ever tried to get a young child to sit still for five minutes? Parents don't have to work at getting young children to be active. Most children are in perpetual motion. But now days, with "latch key" kids and safety concerns, children just can't roam free the way they used to. They are more sedentary and more dependent upon adults to take them to organized sports activities.

Encourage children to stay physically active. Parents can teach their children healthy lifestyle habits that will last for life. Children often imitate their parent's activity levels. Fitness and physical activity can be come a family affair. Take time together. Play games in the park. Bicycle around the neighborhood. Take hikes. Go swimming.

Children go through 6 distinct developmental stages. For age specific activities, try these tips:
* First 2 Years: Let the child be active and explore naturally. Develop good eating habits. Do not use food to reward or bribe.
* 2 to 5 Years: Practice basic skills, such as throwing, kicking, and jumping. Let the experience be fun. Skill will naturally improve with practice.
* 5 to 8 Years: Loosely structured team sports can be offered. Do not be too demanding or over-protective. Children at all ages are accident prone. They play to have fun, be with friends, and burn off energy.
* 8 to 10 Years: Allow the child to experiment with individual and team sports activities. Assess physical abilities. Offer encouragement, not criticism. Let the child develop new skills at his or her own pace.
* 10 to 14 Years: Puberty begins. Egos become fragile. Match sports to the child's physical and emotional development, not calendar age.
* 14 to 17 Years: Health and fitness values have been taught and practiced by this age. Focus on the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle.

Be sure that regular aerobic activities are included in the child's activities. These activities strengthen the heart and lungs. Examples include soccer, bike riding, rollerblading, swimming, running, and walking. Don't forget safety! Provide helmets, pads, mouth guards and well-fitting shoes. It is important for parents to act as role models for safety. Be sure to use protective gear when you are exercising. An active lifestyle develops healthy and fit children. Fitness helps children feel great about themselves and is a lot of fun!

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