WE continue to read on a regular basis about the activity levels of our children – or should that be the lack of activity? I know many schemes have been implemented and money has been invested. But no matter what we do to get kids active and into sport, if we don’t understand that activity should be a regular thing and built into our daily lives, we won’t make a sufficient enough change to see an improvement.
One day last week at around 3pm I was driving past our local primary school and couldn’t believe the traffic chaos that was all around. Cars parked tail-to-tail all trying to get as close to the schools gates as possible, all waiting to ferry children back home. When did we stop walking children to school or more importantly, letting them walk to school themselves, knowing that they are developing some independence?
I know our weather can impact on this type of activity, yet this is quite a new phenomenon as it has been only in the past 10-15 years that we have become a nation that just doesn’t have the time. Can we change this? Can we turn the clock back? Some of my best memories are returning home from school walking and talking with my friends, making plans to go “out and play” later. I am showing my age as I don’t think that phrase is used at all today. Also, you rarely hear children asking for a few minutes more playtime outside before getting ready for bed.
A recent study by the Australian Sports Commission has found that although activity levels are increasing within the younger generation, they are still not meeting the recommended levels – and that parents could be the biggest influencers.
It also found that parents often sacrifice their own time for physical activity because they’re dedicated to the best interests of their kids, but this data clearly shows a child’s greatest sporting role model is often their mum or dad.
A child with an active parent is much more likely to be active. If a parent can find time for their own activity, they’ll be positively influencing their child. A simple solution to a growing problem.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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