If you're already into fitness walking, you'll know how much this activity has to offer in terms of health and well-being. The benefits of walking can be felt at any age and especially by children, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of obesity that goes with a sedentary lifestyle.
How can you motivate your child to walk and how long for? Newfeel answers your questions!
Your child already spontaneously takes many steps throughout their day. They move a lot during school playtimes, during sports activities and perhaps also during a more intense weekly sports activity.
But outside of that, do they do any physical activities? The benefits of walking dramatically increase when you walk at endurance level; that is, past the threshold of 30 minutes a day!
This sports activity can be practised from the youngest age, where it can be incorporated into the daily life of the whole family.
So, don't wait any longer: kit your budding athletes out with proper shoes and give them a taste for walking!
As soon as your child is able to walk without falling, you can take them along with you on short walks, stimulating their appetite for discovery.
When they reach the age of 4 or 5, get them used to walking to and from school. By your side, your little one will accumulate previous minutes of walking and will naturally incorporate this sports activity into their daily life.
When short school to home journeys have been well established, offer your child an additional 30-minute walk, 2 to 3 times per week.
Observe their reactions and above all, never force them!
If you feel capable and motivated, lengthen the duration of the walk to up to 1 or 2 hours.
It is recommended that children do 1 hour of "moderate to intense" exercise per day.
Fitness walking is perfect for incorporating these changes in rhythm: simply walk faster! You can therefore initiate your child to fitness walking, by teaching them to pay attention to their breathing, feel how their arms contribute to the walk, or try the correct foot movement, unrolling the feet out fully on the ground at each step.
Be patient: Your young walker's enthusiasm will depend on their level of energy, their mood, their temperament and even on the weather. Always listen to them: these family outings should remain a pleasure!
By walking side by side, you will introduce your child to the pleasures of outdoor sport and get them used to walking as a form of transport. You will also help them maintain their health and well-being each day!
And you? Do you have tips for encouraging your child to walk? Share them with us!