Active Kids Get Top Marks

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• Getting your child more active will help them achieve top marks. That's right! Children who participate in physical activity each day show improved memory, concentration, communication, problem-solving and leadership abilities
• Regular physical activity builds strong bones and muscles, helps to achieve a healthy weight, promotes good posture, strengthens the heart, improves self-esteem and enhances growth and development

• Only 7% of children and youth are active enough to meet current Physical Activity Guidelines and are spending an average of 6 to 8 hours per day being sedentary.  Sedentary behaviour is time when children are doing very little physical movement.

Tips for Parents

How much time does your family spend watching TV, playing video games or surfing the internet? How much time does your family spend being active?

• Check out the Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Youth
• Try to keep track of your physical activity and time spent being inactive for a week. Use a physical activity calendar to keep track. At the end of the week come together as a family and add it all up.
• Brainstorm activities that your family would like to try or already enjoys doing that could replace time spent being inactive. Make a plan to try a TV turnoff day, or if you are really committed to getting your family active, try a TV turnoff week. Your imagination might surprise you!

• Set an example - be an active role model yourself
• Find out what is available in your community and introduce your child to new types of physical activity (local community centers, Parks and Recreation programs, local walking trails). Encourage your child to walk to school, where possible
• Involve your child in deciding what activities they would like to try both individually and as a family
• Set physical activity goals for the family
• Talk about your child's physical activities everyday - praise and reward small steps (perhaps include an incentive such as going somewhere of the child's choosing)

Safety Matters

It is important that the family set physical activity safety rules. Parents need to role model the behaviours they want their children to practice, for example always wearing the appropriate safety equipment. For more safety tips for your family, visit the Safe Kids Canada website at www.safekidscanada.ca.