Playing for Fitness and Family Togetherness
Building Your Body and Your Relationship With Your Kids All at Once
Jun 21, 2009
Very few adults can appreciate the benefits of actually playing. Kids appreciate and enjoy just being and playing as part of who they are; it is the adults around them that teach them to move away from this and become something else. Instead, adults should learn from them!
Becoming Closer as a Family Through Play
The thing that little kids (and older ones, too) value most is the time of their parents. Spending time with their kids is one thing that most parents are capable of doing more of, but tend to not fully understand. Direct interaction is the most valuable gift a parent can give to a child. The interaction demonstrates the highest level of love and true caring there is. And doing this on the child's level is something that brings the direct interaction to a place where the child can understand and enjoy the love in a manner that is very close to the heart. Any child will feel much closer to a parent that plays with her than one who doesn't. It's not a choice; it's just how the human heart works.
Play with the children in whatever manner they choose. Of course suggest games, such as chase or tag or hide-and-seek, and others that come to mind. It is only the imagination that limits what one can do. If a child doesn't enjoy the game, then ask what would make it more fun. Be on their level and be kind and open when asking. These interactions help to show genuine care about her feelings. In turn, she is more likely to open up and share back.
How Play Can Help With Fitness
Children love to run and scream and climb. A playground is, of course, a great place for this. Watch what the children like to do, and do it with them! At first this might feel odd, climbing on the playground equipment, going down the slide, swinging, chasing children. Do it anyhow! The rewards are amazing. Try keeping up with a four year old or an eight year old and be amazed! The cardiovascular fitness of most little children is quite good, especially the really young ones.
Most adults doing the activities of young children playing will be completely wiped out. Of course trying to crawl through tunnels designed for people under four feet tall is quite interesting for someone over five feet tall. Kids will be much faster than adults, and it will take an adult more effort to do many of the activities. This, of course, will help with fitness. Try playing in the playground. Try water fights in the yard. Try running after a child for as long as that child wants to play. Make more games; involve the whole family. And reap the amazing benefits, physical and emotional. There is no greater gift than such quality time!
