Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Being physically active during your adolescent and teen years can help your body develop and strengthen as expected, but it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to get kids to be active. Cell phones, television and video games have all become more engaging, and while are finding new ways to be entertained, if that involves being sedentary for an extended period, it can cause problems for their spine now and in the future.

As a parent, you want to help your child develop into a strong and physically active adult, but how can you encourage movement and activity? We share some tips for helping your child become more active in today’s blog.

Helping Your Child Be More Active

Here’s a look at some of the ways you can help your child to become more active.

1. Join Them In Activity – Lead by example! Join your kid in activity. Not only will they have fun playing with Mom or Dad, but they’ll be getting the benefits of movement. Go play in the back yard or take the dog for a walk together. Find an activity that both of you enjoy and do it with them.
2. Gifts That Encourage Activity – You don’t need to go out and buy your child a gift for no reason, but if a holiday or birthday is coming up, consider going for a gift that encourages activity. Instead of a tablet, get them a bike, a scooter, a skateboard or some roller blades. There are tons of toys and equipment that encourage activity, so see if anything piques your child’s interest.
3. Encourage Sports/Team Activities – Sports and other team-based activities are great ways to keep kids active and moving. Most sports require a fair amount of movement and activity, but if a sport isn’t up their alley, there are plenty of other groups that will keep them active, like band, Girl Scouts or dance. If they have any friends that are into these activities, it may be easier to convince them to give it a try!
4. Go On Outings – It’s easy to be inactive if you’re just hanging out at home, so get out and about with your child. Head to a public park, a swimming pool or to a hiking trail and check out some of the cool places your city has to offer!
5. Have A Positive Attitude – Your child may not be over the moon to be doing something active outside, but it’s important that you encourage them and keep a positive mindset. Play a game along the way, arrange a scavenger hunt and find ways to make the activity fun and enjoyable so that it is a positive experience for both of you.
6. Let Them Lead – Let your child have some ownership in whatever activity you decide to pursue. Give them some choices and let them choose what you’ll do after dinner, or let them know that you’ll follow their lead. Kids tend to do better when they have some say in the decision making process, so let them decide what activity you’ll do.

Lead by example and make activity fun, and we’re confident that your child will enjoy being more active, which will be great for their spine and their whole body. For help encouraging your child to be active, or for assistance with a specific back problem, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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