Encourage Your Child to be Physically Active
Daily physical activity is important for the whole family. Help your child make exercise a habit for life. Aim for 60 minutes of physical activity each day for your child. Try new activities together. Biking, walking, hiking, and swimming may become lifelong activities.
If your child wants to be active in a team sport, try several sports to find the ones that your child likes. Look for programs that are based more on fun and learning skills than winning. Remind yourself that having fun while being active is most important.
Know What Your Child is Watching and Playing
Your child will learn many things from TV shows, movies, online and video games. Some of these "lessons" you will agree with and some you won't. Here are some ways to make screen time a positive learning activity:
• Watch and play with your child. Ask questions, such as "Who is your favorite character?" or "Could a real person do that?"
• Teach your child that violence is not OK. Help him or her learn to solve problems with words, not by hurting others.
• Explain to your child that commercials and many programs are made to sell things.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children spend no more than a total of two hours a day watching TV, playing video games, or playing computer games for entertainment.
Focus on Your Child's Strengths
When your child brings home tests and school work, talk about what he or she did well. Praise specific things and then talk about what areas need more work to improve. Don't only talk about the things that were done wrong.