Fitness Tips for Homeschoolers
In today’s world, it is becoming more and more important for children to be fit. The sad truth is that most kids who are homeschooled are less fit than their peers who go to traditional schools.
According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), during the 2021-22 school year, here were around 3.135 million school-age (K-12) kids in the U.S. who were being homeschooled. Of course, not all of them became unfit because they were being homeschooled. Yet, it’s impossible to rule out the impact of such a schooling method on kids’ health.
However, there are ways in which you can make sure your child maintains her fitness level while still being able to study at home.
We’ve got some fitness tips that can help you manage all that.
5 Fitness Tips for Homeschoolers
Make Sure They Eat the Right Foods
As per one of the latest obesity reports by the National Health Statistics Reports, obesity prevalence in the United States was around 41.9% between 2017 and March 2020. The country didn’t reach this stage in a year or two. It happened gradually, and one of the main reasons behind this is most Americans’ intake of improper diets.
You can keep your kids on track with a healthy diet by making sure they eat the right foods. It’s important to emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
Avoid processed foods and sugary treats as much as possible. According to the CDC, around one in ten people in the U.S. have diabetes. You wouldn’t want your kid to become part of that statistic. Also, make sure your kids drink plenty of water throughout the day too. Dehydration can lead to severe health problems in your child, including a drop in their attention span.
Ensure They Get Sufficient Sleep
A lack of sleep can affect the way your child performs in school and even their overall health. To ensure they get enough sleep, keep the following tips in mind.
- Keep a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends and holidays.
- Make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable hour (which may vary depending on their age).
- Turn off all screens before bedtime. This includes TV, computers, and smartphones. Reading should be limited to 20 minutes before going to sleep.
Create an Exercise Routine for Your Kids
One of the most important things you can do for your children is to teach them that exercise is an important part of their well-being. The benefits of regular exercise are innumerable. It builds muscle strength, improves bone density, increases energy levels and alertness, reduces stress and anxiety, helps regulate moods, and even reduces the risk of heart disease.
Take Them to Soccer Practice
Recognizing the importance of exercise to your child’s overall health, you should try to make sure they are getting enough physical activity each week. If your child does not have an organized sport that meets their needs, consider signing them up for soccer practice at a nearby park or gymnasium.
Get involved in a community-wide youth league if you have time available. This will allow your kids to interact with other kids in their age group. They’ll build friendships while learning how to play a sport at the same time. You can also see if there are any soccer studios near your house. These studios are perfect for your kids if they want to learn how to play soccer professionally.
For instance, if you’re living in Costa Mesa, a quick google search will reveal all the nearby soccer studios. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 percent of California homesteads homeschool at least one child.
Thus, it’s likely that there are many others like you, who homeschool their children in your neighborhood of Costa Mesa, and it’s possible that they, too, need such soccer training facilities around them.
To cater to this growing number of homeschooled kids in the area, as well as people who want to learn soccer professionally, many such studios have likely sprung up over there.
All you have to do is find the Costa Mesa soccer studio that’s closer to your house or offers the best soccer training facilities. Enrolling your kids in these soccer studio programs will allow them to develop their skills routinely. At the same time, they can also gain fitness methodically.
Avoid Too Much Junk Food and Sugar
An important part of maintaining your kids’ physical health is to avoid too much junk food and sugar.
Junk food may not be healthy, but it can still be tempting for kids. It’s best to keep a stash of healthy snacks at home. This keeps you prepared for when your child has a craving for something sweet or salty.
To help prevent sugar cravings, offer plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits at home. The more variety you provide in their diet now, the less likely they’ll be tempted by unhealthy options once they start eating lunch with friends outside of the house.
You may not be able to control everything your kids do, but you can help them make healthy lifestyle choices. Hopefully, these fitness tips will give you some ideas on how to encourage your kids’ fitness while they’re homeschooled.
