Motivating School-Age Kids to Be Active

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The Hour of Power

Sixty minutes — that's how much physical activity kids should get each day. But as kids get older, increasing demands on their time can make getting a full hour of exercise a challenge. And some kids get caught up in sedentary pursuits like watching TV and surfing the Internet. Even doing a lot of studying and reading, while important, can contribute to inadequate physical activity.


But being active is a key component of good health for all school-age kids. It will strengthen their muscles and bones and ensure that their bodies are capable of doing normal kid stuff, like lifting a backpack or running a race. It also will help control their weight and decrease their risk of chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.




Keep to the Basics for 6- to 8-Year-Olds

Expose younger kids to a variety of activities, games, and sports. Keep the focus on fun. A mix of activities at home and at school is often ideal, and be sure to include some free time for kids to make their own decisions about what to do.




9- to 12-Year-Olds Are More Coordinated



Whether it's soccer or dance, if your child doesn't enjoy an activity or feels frustrated by failure, it may be time to switch to something else. That doesn't mean the time spent on those endeavors was wasted. Instead, ask what activities your child would like to try next. Achieving this transition smoothly, without making a child feel like a failure, can prevent negative feelings about sports and physical activity in general.

Help Kids Find Their Niche


Also, consider temperament. A mild-mannered boy who might not be comfortable playing football may like the challenge of karate. Likewise, an active girl might not have the patience and control required for ballet, but is well-suited to a more fast-paced activity, like soccer.


The nonathlete: This child may lack athletic ability, lack interest in physical activity, or both. By this age, kids are aware of these differences and some may have even been teased about them. The danger for them is not leaving one activity that didn't work out; it's abandoning all physical activity altogether.

The casual athlete: This child is is interested in being active but is not a star player and is at risk of getting discouraged in a competitive athletic environment. Most kids fall into this category, but in a culture that is obsessed with winning, it's easy to overlook them as athletes. Encourage them to remain active even though they aren't top performers.

The athlete: This child has athletic ability, is committed to a sport or activity, and is likely to ramp up practice time and intensity of competition. Some kids are happily settled in a sport or activity by the older school-age years. In this case, a parent can continue to support the child's efforts while watching for any changes. It's important to ensure that kids manage schoolwork, get enough rest, and still enjoy the sport. Continue to let your child try out new things and enjoy a variety of physical activities.

Parents Can Make a Difference

No matter what their fitness personalities, kids look to parents for guidance, support, and encouragement. And it's important to set a good example, so don't groan about your own exercise — make it a priority and look for chances to be physically active as a family.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2011

Kids Health

