Tips for parents during COVID-19
Encourage kids to continue to exercise -If they are able to get outside in yard to kick a soccer ball, play catch or practice their dance routine, they should definitely try to do so. Watching exercise-on-demand videos using YouTube are great options for working at home as well.
Set and achieve daily goals– They can set daily goals surrounding their nutrition, sleep, number of steps or overall fitness. If there are specific process skills related to their sports interest that they can work on, have them concentrate on those.
Get creative– Exercising doesn’t have to be a formal activity with weights and sports equipment either. Walking or running up and down the stairs, have them try doing some arm curls using canned foods as weights or put on some high-energy music and have a dance party. Throughout the day, encourage brain breaks that get them to stand up and take a lap around the house in between working on homework assignments.
Stay connected with coaches and teammates– Keep your kids connected with their coaches and teammates as much as possible. Many team leaders are scheduling Zoom meetings between coaches, parents and athletes as an opportunity to see one another and socialize, share ideas and just stay connected.
Stay positive– This also can be a time to perhaps learn a new skill, spend more quality time together and take care of our physical and emotional health. Finding ways for children to stay active and engaged is an important part of that equation.
