You can Teach Your Children Healthy Living

One of the best things you can do as a parent is teach your children by example. Children tend to emulate their parents behaviors so it is great for parents to show their best. Why not take this natural way of learning and put it to good use by showing your children how to make healthy and fun choices such as with exercise. There are a wide range of activities you can do with your children to help them learn healthy habits.

Swimming is a great sport that you can share with your child.  It is very important to teach your children how to swim. Drowning kills many children every year.  This makes it even more important to teach your children to swim. There are many excellent programs available through most local pools. Swim with your child regularly.  This will help them gain confidence and it may spark an interest to make swimming a life log activity.

Hiking is another great sport that everyone in the family can enjoy. This has the possibility of benefiting your child two ways. First they will get the exercise, and second they can gain a respect for nature at the same time. You can begin hiking with your children at a very young age with them beign in a backpack.  The more you hike they more they will associate this as a normal part of their life. Then when your children get older it won’t seem like such a chore to them to get out and move because it is something they have always done.

Bicycling is another sport you can introduce your child to at a very young age. You can keep them involved with biking as they grow.  They can start out in a seat, then go to a pull behind cart, to a trail-a-bike, and then finally to a bike of their own. It is important to get a properly fitted helmet for you child while they ride with you.  You also should be wearing a helmet.

Kids are like sponges. Children will soak up and emulate anything that they see. If they see their parents incorporating exercise into their routine as a normal part of their day, children will generally learn this habit also. It can be harder to get a child interested in a sport as they age so it is best to introduce activity when they are young.