It’s that time of year. The days are shorter, the air is colder. And while snuggling up on your couch under a blanket may be all you want to do, the need for exercise doesn’t hibernate for the winter, especially for kids.
Organized activities
A good way to make exercise part of your children’s weekly routine is to enroll them in a class. Help your child find a sport or activity to try out. Or consider improving their skills in a sport with instruction.
Winter classes or teams are available in many communities for a wide range of active sports, including swimming, yoga for kids, dance, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, tennis, indoor soccer, martial arts, fencing, skating, rock climbing and many more.
Your investment in a class this winter could lead to a lifelong love of a new sport or activity your child might not otherwise have tried.
The importance of team sports?
Participation in team sports allows kids to make lasting friendships, develop communication skills, feel a sense of community, and learn to respect their teammates and coaches. Additionally, being part of a team teaches children the importance of being a responsible and reliable team member.
Team sports are said to bolster the five C’s: competence, confidence, connections, character, and caring. At the heart of this is self-esteem – an increased sense of self as a result of better social interactions, stronger relationships, and higher academic performance.
Pros Of Playing Individual Sports
Individual sports instill higher levels of self-reliance, discipline and passion in athletes. Winning or losing is entirely up to you, and every competition is a chance to beat your personal best. Your success and your failure are entirely your own.
All year long – No matter what the weather, following these three guidelines can make it easier to keep your kids active:
Keep it positive and fun.
Children have different interests and enthusiasms. Your goal as a parent is to suggest and enable activities that your child will enjoy. And that might mean different activities for different children in your home.
Stick to a routine.
Find the times for activity that work best for your family, and stick with them. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that you have to give up on that running-around time when your child gets home from school. If that’s when your child has the most energy, keep it going. Just find new ways to be active if it’s not possible to play outside.
It’s OK to break it up.
The American Heart Association’s recommended 60 minutes of exercise daily doesn’t have to be in one stretch. Ten minutes here and 20 minutes there are just as effective for maintaining health.
By Sherry Wells
Active Kids Zone
Great Lakes Volleyball Center
The Great Lakes Center offers youth volleyball programs ages 3 to 6th grade. Tikes/Tots is a motor development program centered around developing quickness, jumping, overall coordination & agility, hand-eye skills and throwing ability. In Level 1 players begin to develop foundational skills for volleyball including underhand/overhand passing, attacking and serving. In Level 2 players begin repetitive skill training to reinforce muscle memory so players can begin to execute and repeat skills at an elite level. For more info call 630-898-6400 or visit www.greatlakescenter.com
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Model Act Studios
Model Act Studios is the only Talent Management studio in Wheaton & Lemont that works directly with talent agencies, modeling agencies, and casting directors from Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. We provide you with the correct tools to succeed, such as confidence, interview skills, camera technique, acting ability and experience, while presenting you with the opportunities to meet the right people. For more information visit. www.modelactstudios.com
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