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Fitness and Your 6- to 12-year-old
Kids who are 6 to 12 years old need physical activity to build
strength, coordination, confidence, and to lay the groundwork for a
healthy lifestyle down the road. It's also a time when kids gain
more control over how active they are.
So it's important to give your school-age child as many
opportunities as possible to be active, and to make sure your child
is involved in a variety of activities, sports, and games that are a
good fit for his or her personality, ability, age and interests.
Brainstorm together and let your child choose the activities that
feels right. Typically kids won't mind a daily dose of fitness, as
long as it's fun.
The National Association for Sports and Physical Education
recommends that school age children:
Fitness at Home
Many parents and kids think of organized sports when they think of
fitness. Though there are many advantages to signing your child up
for the softball team, practice and games once or twice a week will
not be enough to reach activity goals. In addition, parents can no
longer rely on physical education in the schools to provide enough
physical activity for children.
When you have exhausted the possibilities at home, take advantage of
local playgrounds and athletic fields. Make family fitness outings
part of your regular routine. Let family members choose an activity
- go hiking, ice skating, or try-out the rock-climbing gym. Anything
goes, as long as everyone can participate.
Part of helping your child commit to fitness includes being a
positive role model by showing your child that exercise is important
by regularly exercising on yourself.
Fitness for My Child
As you're thinking about your child's fitness, it's important to
keep in mind your child's age and developmental level, natural
abilities, and interests. Through physical activities, kids can
learn about setting goals, meeting challenges, sportsmanship,
teamwork, and the value of practice.
Between the ages of 6 and 8, kids are sharpening their basic
physical skills like jumping, throwing, kicking, and catching. Some
kids enjoy doing this in organized sports teams, but non-competitive
leagues are the best choice for younger kids. Coaching your child's
team or cheering from the stands on game days are ways you can show
your support.
Kids who are 9 to 12 years old are refining, improving, and
coordinating their skills. It's a time when a child's commitment to
a sport may be reaffirmed, while other kids may drop out as
competition heats up and level of play improves. It's okay if your
child is not interested in traditional sports, but it's important to
find alternative ways to be active.
If your child doesn't like soccer, basketball, or other team sports,
explore other options and encourage your child to be creative. There
are plenty of fun and challenging activities that your child might
like more: karate, fencing, golf, bicycling, skateboarding, and
tennis to name just a few.
I'm Concerned About My Child's Fitness
If your child refuses to play or interact with peers, or complains
of pain during activity, it's a good idea to talk with your child's
doctor. Kids who participate in sports are at risk for injuries, so
be sure your child wears the appropriate protective equipment, such
as a helmet and protective pads when roller-blading. Kids who
specialize in one sport are also at risk of overuse injuries,
including stress fractures and joint injuries.
A child with a chronic health condition or disability should not be
excluded from fitness activities. Some activities may need to be
modified or adapted, and some may be too risky depending on your
child's condition. Consult your child's doctor about which
activities are safe for your child.
Kids who enjoy sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout
their lives. And staying fit can help improve self-esteem, help
maintain a healthy weight, and decrease the risk of serious
illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD |