Kids' day out

It is important to make sure that your child remains in the pink of health.



Kids should go out and play for their proper development

IPSITA loves tennis, follows the game regularly and loves playing the sport too. She has the highest score and has beaten all her friends in the game,” says Ritu Agarwal, Ipsita’s mother. But, why doesn’t Ritu sound elated as she should? The reason: her daughter plays tennis as a game on the computer as opposed to a court. She, like many other parents, is worried about children being inactive. ‘How do I get her to play tennis on the playground than in front of the computer?’ asks Ritu Agarwal. “Children need to be motivated to go out there, and play their favourite sport. Parents could organise a trekking activity for family and friends, which is a fun way to a healthy lifestyle,” suggests Preeti Kotwal, a fitness expert. Organising weekend trip to places where you can go hiking, rock climbing, and water sports is a good way to involve your child in fitness training.

“Get the child involved in the activity they love. If your child does not love sports, opt for dancing,” she adds. By enrolling your child for karate, aerobics, taekwondo, horse riding, kickboxing or any group activity classes that involves physical training will not just ensure physical fitness but his interest level shall also be high. As Vijendra Sherlekar, director of a fitness studio in the city, says, “When the child sees other kids of his age group perform well and maintain a fitness regime, he/she is also motivated to do so.” While your child goes out and gets involved in an activity, it is important to make sure he/she is not pressurised to perform. “Healthy competition is welcome, but pressurising the child to be the number one is not. Everyone has different capabilities, and parents should just encourage them to go out and give their best rather than asking them to be a winner each time,” says Virendra.

Parents should cultivate these habits in each of the family members. Children learn by examples, feels Virendra, he says, “Parents should be active as they exert a lot of influence on children. If parents eat healthy and stay fit, children will follow the suit.” A healthy living is not just about being physically active but eating right too. A healthy diet not only increases the child’s immunity level but helps him perform far better at school. “Delinquency rates will be lower and their performance at school and sports excellent,” says Naini Setalvad, renowned nutritionist. “A healthy diet need not be boring and mundane. The food should be tasty and appealing. Kids love junk food. We could make junk healthy, by serving them whole wheat pastas cooked with lots of vegetables or a wrap filled with veggies and topped with hummus or kidney bean dip,” suggests Naini. Mothers need to get creative in the kitchen and dish out new recipes. Pooja Goel, Sports Nutritionist, feels, “The habit of eating healthy and staying active should be inculcated from childhood. If a packet of chips or a bottle of soft drink is at home, you will tend to get your hands on that when hunger pangs hit you. One should store healthy food. Dry fruits and nuts should be opted for when hungry.”

That a healthy mind resides within a healthy body is an age-old truth. To make sure your child has both the qualities, it is important to give the right direction to his lifestyle.