Un-Couching the Kids for the Summer!

Back in the day, summer equaled being tossed outside to "get the stink blowed off you" courtesy of parents mimicking their own upbringings. The hoot is this practice owns credence in that its absence, partnered to technology, has spawned one hot topic: childhood obesity. The challenge for primary care givers in 2007 is learning to managing said creatively in goal of fitter, higher-choice choosing children.

1. Keep track of the Screen Time. This includes video games, public television offerings, interactive learning CD's, Baby Einstein! And don't just use "words" as children learn by example not decree. Limit your own computer gazing to equal the same criteria as theirs. Implement outdoor "read/share" time wherein role playing can evolve into comic shows about shows (i.e. Sesame Street). All movement is good movement in the scope of burning calories, increasing body and brain under a backyard awning.

2. Stretch a Set Pace. Become a parent "model" with routine, daily stretching upon awakening. Illustrate how outdoor chores can be fun with exaggerated hip movements while watering the lawn or raking leaves. Dance out range of motion and/or balance exercises prior to wheeling outdoor trash receptacles out to the curb on pick up day. Forget time management when instilling "step count" in a child's overall fitness curve. Two trips down the basement stairs in the name of clean up (vs. one) builds muscle, endurance and balance. Step-energy conservation is old-er age choice, never a healthy child's.

3. Provide the Basics. Selectively purchase non-battery powered, outdoor toys/equipment that motivates "use". A soccer ball, jump rope, even a set of jacks are fun, inexpensive challenges that can be done outside as group or individual activity. Craft a summer-long contest around who "can skip rope the farthest" and award a grand prize the day before school starts. Long-term "prize" can activate daily getting out there to practice choice.