If your kids were failing subjects like math, science or English, you’d be concerned and ready to spring into action to help them bring their grades up. After all, mastering those subjects is critical to their academic future. That same sense of responsibility should hold true for fitness scores, since they are a strong indicator of something even more crucial — your child’s present and future health.
According to last year’s Fitnessgram, just 16 percent of Georgia’s kids who were administered the test were able to pass all five basic fitness tests; 20 percent were unable to pass any tests. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, these children couldn’t walk a mile, do push-ups or touch their toes. If you do the math, odds are, one or more of these kids belongs to you.
Where’s our parental outcry?
Kids themselves aren’t to blame for this failure. It’s no surprise they reject exercise, because we’ve unintentionally bred a generation that doesn’t really experience or enjoy active play. To them, the idea of being outdoors and moving pales in comparison to the prospect of playing video games and watching television.
How can we bring our kids back to the activities that will keep them healthy, the same ones we loved growing up?
As parents, the buck must stop with us. Our kids can’t afford to wait for schools to increase physical education or recess time. Our children desperately need us to face the truth: The problem starts with us, and now is the time for us to make it right. If we don’t act now, the pastime of child’s play will disappear, and our kids’ health will suffer the consequences.
The good news is that our kids aren’t destined to have unhealthy futures. Kids love to play, so increasing their playtime offers us, as parents, a low-hanging-fruit solution. The remarkable benefit — for parents, teachers and kids alike — is almost immediate.
An afternoon of playing outside will improve your child’s behavior this evening and help him sleep tonight. With regular playtime, he’ll sit still and learn better at school, manage stress and feel better about himself, get sick less, and be happier and less moody. And yes, he’s more likely to live a longer, healthier, happier life.
While we’re at it, let’s stop using the word “exercise.” What child wants to “go out and exercise?” From now on, let’s use the word “play,” because with a little encouragement, active playing is something our children will come to love. Just like we did.
Georgia parents are loving, strong and proud. We know how to stand up, take charge and make things happen. That’s why I’m absolutely convinced we have the strength to make playtime a higher priority. Parents, the choice is ours.
Stephanie Walsh is medical director of child wellness for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
