I recently finished up a summer job as a kids activity leader and I was reminded how important physical activity is for them. It’s even more important than ever because most kids will be going to school via online. They need movement to offset all that sitting and forward posture, to stimulate their physical body, and to be healthy.

One thing I learned is that kids love competition. They love to race, play soccer, swing higher than the other, etc. That external attribution to movement is what drives them to be active. Instead, that motivation should come from within. Long term success is derived from the idea of wanting to be fit and healthy because it’s what they want. To teach them long term success, they must learn the importance of exercising within their own capacity. This could be as simple as calisthenics or exercising with a dowel instead of a barbell. The education of exercising benefits and execution of a individualized lesson plan WILL set kids up with long term success. Use competition to your advantage and develop effective lesson plans to educate them.

Play is probably the most underrated part of education. Play is where kids get to figure themselves out socially, and to be creative. Adults may look at play as something silly, but it’s crucial for physical and mental development.

Exercising for kids must be fun, engaging, and educational. It must also be individualized. You can’t force a kid to do something they absolutely hate. Use incentives and positive reinforcement, and with habitual use of play and exercise, kids will develop a life long habit of moving and being healthy.