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Get Moving!

5 Tips for Raising Active Kids

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should not be sedentary for more than an hour at a time except when sleeping.

 
2. Remember Your Inner Child
Though it may be tempting to just sit and chat with the other parents at the park, getting up and playing with your child can be a fun way to bond. You'll set a great example for your child while getting some exercise yourself – and playing games with your child can be a great way to remember the fun of your own childhood!
 
3. Make Playtime Fun
It's very important not to force your child to engage in physical activity. When you propose a game of tag or peek-a-boo, it should be because it's fun, not because there's been too much sitting around that day. If physical fun seems like a normal part of the day, instead of a punishment for too much TV, children will look forward to it – an attitude that they will carry with them once they get old enough to make their own choices about playtime.
 
4. Babies Need Movement Too
Try not to keep an infant confined to a baby seat for long periods. Even when very young, children move differently when stretched out on a blanket than when strapped into a baby seat.
 
5. Get Caregivers Involved
If childcare is provided by a grandparent or other relative, express your interest that the child be active during the day. Though keeping up with an active child might be difficult for an older adult, even a slower activity, such as a walk around the block, is better than placating the child with television or a video – and it can be a great way to get the grown-up moving, too!

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