Tips on keeping kids of all ages busy

Have you ever tried to get a young child to sit still for five minutes?

Parents do not have to work at getting young children to be active. Youngsters are in perpetual motion. They love being active.

It is very important to establish good habits when children are young, before they start to slow down, which is around age 12.

Their pattern of physical activity is often set for life by the time they finish high school.

Fitness and physical activity can become a family affair. Take time together. Play games in the park. Bicycle around the neighborhood. Take hikes. Go swimming.

Children go through distinct developmental stages. Activities good for one age level may not be good for another.

Try these suggestions for the following age groups:

First two years: Let the child be active and explore naturally. Develop good eating habits, and do not use food, especially sweets and high-fat snacks, to reward or bribe.

Two to five years: Practice basic skills, such as throwing, kicking and jumping. Let the experience be fun. Skill naturally improves with practice.

Five to eight years: Loosely structured team sports can be offered. Do not be too demanding or overprotective, but be careful because children at this age are more accident-prone. They play to have fun, be with friends, and burn off energy.

Eight to 10 years: Allow the child to experiment with individual and team sports activities. Assess physical abilities. Offer encouragement, not discouragement. Let the child develop new skills at his or her own pace.

Ten to 14 Years: Puberty begins, and egos become fragile. Match sports to the child's physical and emotional development, not calendar age. Encourage physical activity that is not competitive.

14 to 17 Years: Health and fitness values have been taught and practiced by this age. Focus on the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle.

Be sure that aerobic activities are included in the child's regular activity program. These activities strengthen the heart and lungs. Examples include bicycling, inline skating, swimming, running, and walking.

An active lifestyle develops healthy and fit youngsters. Fitness helps them feel great about themselves and can be fun.

Choose activities that you and your child enjoy and that are readily accessible. To learn more, visit your local bookstore or library, or call your local YMCA or YWCA.