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* Find a My Gym for kids near your home now!
Friday, September 28, 2007
It seems that everywhere you look there are activities offered to our children for fun video games or a new cartoon series on television. The sad fact is that these activities lead our children down a path that can lead them to a sedentary adult lifestyle. As parents we only want the best things possible for our kids, and this is why we need to understand why fitness is so important for our children. Here are some startling facts about childhood obesity in the United States alone.
There is an annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that is completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that read off numbers stating that one-third of the children in the U.S. are overweight or well on their way to being overweight. Break this number down even more it shows a devastating twenty-five million U.S. children are overweight. Another study from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation showed that children from the age of two through the age of nineteen are at a seventeen point one percentage of being obese. If these numbers are not enough to get our attention let’s discuss what effect our children may suffer due to childhood obesity.
For those children who are obese they can unfortunately suffer many consequences from this. First let’s explain what obese means. Obese is the term used to describe any person who is carrying a much higher percentage of body fat than what is healthy for proper bodily function. Due to obesity our children can suffer from what are usually adult related health concerns such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol. These are health concerns that lower the quality of life for any person who struggles with them. Our children have so many concerns in this world and obesity related diseases should not be a concern for them. So how do we prevent childhood obesity?
Exercise and a healthy diet are the true treatment for childhood obesity. Our children need to have limited time on the computer and more time outdoors kicking a ball around. Participate in a healthy activity such as activities offered at a children’s gymnasium. Most towns have a children's gymnasium franchise, which offers fun and fit activities from toddler through teens. With the knowledge given here, please continue to give your child the best and the best is to include fitness in the lives of your kids.Labels: childrens, fitness, gymnasium, kids
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Tuesday, September 25, 2007
There are numerous activities available to our children. Sports through our children's schools and church are offered annually. Group activities such as Girl or Boy Scouts keep our children active. Out of all of these statistics show that there are three fitness activities that are the most popular. These activities are Gymnastics, Ice Skating and Dance. Both girls and boys of all ages from toddler age to teenager enjoy these activities. Each of these activities is fun and healthy for our children to participate in and here is how.
Gymnastics is an activity that is not just enjoyable to perform but millions also watch it. Gymnastics offers a full body workout that improves strength and cardiovascular health. It is an activity that improves health of the body and the mind. Like many other sports or fitness related activities children learn a great deal of self-confidence as well as needed social skills. Most towns or cities include a children's gymnasium franchise. You can look this information up in your local phone book or online via the Internet. Gymnastics is a fun way to improve your health and to just enjoy yourself.
Ice Skating is another very popular fitness activity for kids. This activity is another event that is enjoyed physically and visually. Children that are very young can start to learn the basics, such as balancing on the ice and learning to start and stop safely. Ice Skating is a way to improve your child's health but it also lifts their spirit. The feeling of gliding across the ice is like no other. No matter if it's figure skating or ice hockey, it is a great fitness opportunity for all children to try.
Dance can often be intimidating to some people. It has been thought of as a female fitness activity, but it is in fact for both girls and boys to enjoy. Not only is it a sport for both sexes but also there are numerous choices within this choice. So many styles of dance can be learned. Styles from Ballet, African or other cultural dance, tap and Hip-Hop can all give you a fun-filled workout. No matter the style each one is worthwhile keep that in mind.
No matter which fitness activity is your child's favorite, each one works the heart, the body and the mind. So pick something that you love or try something new. Get out there and have a kid friendly fitness blast!
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Sunday, September 23, 2007
When throwing a child's birthday party you first have two choices for location: at home or out of the home. If you choose outside the home you are then given several other choices. Three of the favorite locations to celebrate at are a local park, a children’s play place or a children’s gymnasium. Each of these locations offers a fun time that will be sure to make a great birthday memory.
The first location mentioned is a local park. If weather permits this is a simple and classic choice. You contact your local parks and recreation department to reserve a picnic area or shelter. Once you have this under your belt you will want to gather your decorations for the area.
Throw up a few balloons and streamers and you are ready for the party. Children can have cake at the picnic tables and once food and gifts are finished the kids can enjoy the playground equipment. You get free entertainment! Clean up is also a breeze. Throw away all of your trash in the containers provided by the park. This is a great choice, but so are our next two locations.
A children’s play place is usually requested for at least one birthday party. You call ahead and give the number of guests and pay a deposit to hold your reservation. You supply the birthday cake but the play place usually decorates the table and supplies hats and usually pizza. Kids can enjoy games and play equipment after the birthday cake and gift giving. This is usually a popular choice but can be more expensive than our first choice.
Our last choice and often the most unique are reserving a birthday bash at a local children’s gymnasium franchise. You call ahead set up the reservation, and a deposit may or may not be required depending on the company. Once again in most cases you supply the cake, but some companies go the extra mile and supply it all.
Children get to enjoy cake and gift giving and then get to explore gymnasium equipment, with staff supervision of course. This can be a great way for kids to enjoy a new experience.
Each choice for your child's birthday celebration is fun and exciting. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices. After all birthdays do come each year so why not try each location.Labels: activities, birthday, childrens, kids, parties, party
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
With the change of seasons and the weather children are forced to change which activities they are involved in. If they play outdoor sports they are then forced inside with the rain and snow. If the heat of summer meets record highs children are forced inside to cool down. Some of the indoor activities they are forced to choose are not very healthy.
Such activities include video games, extended Internet use and too mush television watching. Some of the more positive activities our children can be involved in all year around include gymnastics, ice-skating and dance classes.
Being able to participate in a year round activity that is both healthy physically and mentally is so important for kids. The three activities listed above fulfill this. Each of these activities are available in almost any town or city.
If you look up children's gymnasium franchise in your phone book or on the Internet you are sure to pull up several choice locations. The same goes for the other two listed activities. So no matter what the weather brings with each season children will be able to enjoy themselves each and every month.
Another great benefit from these activities is that each of them provides an excellent source of exercise. Childhood obesity has risen to an all time high in the United States and physical exercise is the cure. Not only physical exercise is included with these activities but mental strength is built up as well.
Endurance, perseverance and self-esteem are all learned with each of these activities. Studies prove that children who are involved in such activities show proof of improved grades in school and lower percentages of peer pressure related choices such as drugs and alcohol.
No matter which of these activities you choose they are safe, fun and healthy. They are for all ages and for both boys and girls to enjoy. You can’t go wrong with any of them. So try something new and have 365 days of fun!Labels: activities, birthday, childrens, fun, gym, gymnasium, kids, parties
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Saturday, September 15, 2007
There is really only one key to throwing a fun children's birthday party "think like a kid".
If you think about what you or I enjoyed as kids, I'm sure one of the first things that comes to mind is candy! This one word seems to make the world go round for kids.
Second thought we have is usually fun! Games, toys and anything that makes you smile.
Third, you might go back to candy. Sometimes as adults we try too hard to make our children's birthdays into a fancy swanky event when we don't have to.
Keep the next tips in mind and you are sure to have a fun and memorable party for your kids.
Number one is to get them involved. Unless it's a surprise birthday party, kids should be involved. They will love to participate any way they can. Let them choose a theme. You may be surprised what they come up with. Pirates, princesses and jungle exploration oh my!
If your child is creative or just loves to draw and paint, let them help make their own party decoration. Use cardboard, poster board, fabric and anything that they find interesting to make their decorations. How excited they will be to say "made that".
Number two is to let them invite whom they want to the party. If fifty invitations are passed out, do your best to be prepared. Remember this does not have to be extravagant. Make small gift bags that include candy and a party horn or some colorful stickers.
If cake prices seem to be a bit too much, cupcakes are a fun alternative. You can even let the kids decorate a cupcake with different topping choices like nuts or sprinkles. It may be messy, but the fun the kids have make it all worth it.
Just because you invite and prepare for a full house, doesn't mean that will be what turns out, which can be good or bad, depending how you choose to take it.
Number three is the charm. Be sure to include some fun activities. Create a beanbag toss out of cardboard, beans and fabric. Play musical chairs or pin the tail on the donkey. These games are classics and always please a crowd of kids.
A prize for the game winners is optional, depending on time and budget for the party. You can visit a local dollar type store for some low priced prizes that will be loved no matter the price.
If you read this and still feel overwhelmed, don't be. If you don't wish to do it yourself, you can make reservations at a children's gymnasium franchise or a children's play place. They will set up decorations and entertainment for you. No matter how you do it or where you do it, the party is sure to be a hit when you follow the above guidelines.Labels: birthday, childrens, party
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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
It seems each year more activities are being created that allows our children to lead sedentary lives. Computer games and chat rooms online, keep our children seated for hours on end. Video games pull our kids into a gripping world of excitement, yet our children sit motionless.
Television has become less entertainment and more escape. With all of these activities can easily take over and lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. It can often be a struggle to get the kids out and into the sunshine and fresh air. There is hope still. There are five great activities to get our kids into that allow the fun they crave and the exercise their growing bodies need.
These five activities include gymnastics, ice-skating, children's golf, swimming and biking. Each of these activities is fun to participate in and it is a healthy addition to the lives of our children. These activities are also likely to be affordable, easily available and build your child up physically and emotionally.
Most cities or towns have a children's gymnasium franchise close by. This is a fun, safe environment for our children to expend energy and explore themselves. Gymnastics is for children toddler through teenager. It is an activity that is for both boys and girls.
Boy's gymnastic activities include: the horizontal bars, vault, parallel bars, floor exercise and rings to name a few. Girl's activities include floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. Visit your local children's gymnasium with your children and see if they are interested.
Ice Skating is another great activity that is great for the body and the mind. It takes practice, but like any other sport, practice makes perfect. This is another activity for all ages and fitness levels. You should visit a local ice rink and see what your little one thinks about gliding on the ice.
Children's golf is a fun way to include fitness and fun in our children's lives. There are kids golf clubs they can join and compete in. This activity has fun, fresh air and healthy exercise all in one. If you’d like more information you can contact the Golf Foundation for a Junior Starter Center in your area for greater details.
Swimming and biking are two activities that almost any child enjoys. They are also activities that can be enjoyed in groups or singles. Both of these exercise related activities are so enjoyable they don't feel like exercise. No matter which activity you are interested in, get out there and enjoy it.
You will be relieved that your child is getting a healthy dose of exercise and they will be happy to be enjoying such a good time.Labels: activities, childrens, exercise, gymnasium
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Friday, September 07, 2007
We all know that it is important for us to get enough exercise in our lives and the same rule applies to our children. Children also need fitness to be included in their young lives. For most adults we choose to run out to our local gym or take up jogging.
We know where we can go, what we can do to include exercise in our lives, but where and what exercise is for our children. There are three things to keep in mind with children’s exercise, Fun, Safety, and Effectiveness. Here are the do's and don'ts that go along with each of these.
Fun is key to keeping a child interested in any thing from school, chores and exercise. If a child is not enjoying themselves, unlike and adult, children will not push themselves to participate in an un-enjoyable activity. If your child tells you that he or she no longer wants to play soccer since it’s not fun, what should you do?
Do ask your child why it’s not enjoyable, since it may be resolved.
Don't push them to continue the sport if your child really is unhappy with it. Allow your child to try an activity for a trial period and if her or she doesn't enjoy it try something different. If they enjoy the exercise related activity they will stick to it. If not your child will be ready to kiss that sport or activity good-bye.
We hear it and say "Safety first". And it is very important no matter the exercise children involve themselves in. If it were a sport such as football you wouldn't send them out to play without their padded equipment. If your child were participating in gymnastics at a local children's gymnasium franchise, you wouldn't just let them up on a balance beam alone with an unpadded surface beneath them.
We have to be sure that exercise is safe so that the exercise is not only fun but is in no way a danger to the child. Do make sure your child wears protective gear and follows all safety rules with their exercise activity.
Don't let them talk their way out of protective gear or safety. If your friends don't think your helmet is cool so be it. Your friends can't think anything is cool if they were injured due to being unsafe.
Lastly exercise should be effective. A child does not have to spend hours on an elliptical machine or lift free weights for a half an hour. These activities are effective for adults but can be harmful to children. With the way the body is growing and changing in a youth weight training is not recommended.
Children should just have fun running around and expelling energy. Sports, swimming, hiking and biking are all exercise related activities that are all of the above, fun, safe and effective. Do encourage your children to try new exercise activities and do cheer them on with their choice.
Don't pressure your child to do an activity just because you think it is a good choice. Keep this in mind and you and your child will be both happy and healthy.Labels: activities, childrens, exercise, gymnasium
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Monday, September 03, 2007
In the world we live in with video games, television and the Internet our children are too often left sitting motionless for hours on end. We know that it’s important for them to get a healthy amount of activity in their lives. We often think of how it is important physically but did you consider how children's activities could be healthy mentally as well?
Studies have shown that children who participate in sports or other related activities have a higher rate of doing well in school. These children also have a lower percentage of falling to peer pressure such as drugs, alcohol and sex.
The studies behind this show that children who are involved in sports, theater, gymnastics and other activities improve children’s social skills, and self-confidence.
Theses activities often teach children how to deal with winning and losing in a healthy manner. They also show children how to support each other as a team. Leadership, kindness, perseverance are all-important aspects of our lives and our children can be taught this as they laugh and smile.
Physically these activities work our children’s bodies to allow them to grow h=in a healthy way. It is a shame that here in the U.S. seventeen point one percent of children ages two through nineteen are overweight. A study showed that twenty-five million children in our country are obese.
This sad fact contains children who struggle with adult related health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. An hour a day of physical activity is all that is required for health. Your child can walk their dog or kick a ball around the yard and work their way to a healthy adulthood. It’s very simple for our youth to get the physical activity they need.
With this said it is in our hands as parents, teachers and fellow community citizens to put the word out how important children's activities are. Let’s all work together to keep our children both physically and mentally strong and fit.Labels: activities, childrens, exercise, kids
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