Handy websites for family fitness
Fitness for kids works if there is fun attached.
Fitness doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive or stressful. Often, all that is needed is an outdoor safe area, a game or something to throw, ride on or chase. You can make up games or play movement games such as tag.
Think about going for a walk and turning it into an adventure or a learning experience, i.e., “Tell me how many birds can count in the next 10 minutes.” Putting in a challenge can make exercise fun too. “I’ll race you to that tree and back”.
If the weather means that you can’t go outside, then consider dancing. You could turn music into a game such as statues. “Move around and when I turn off the music you have to stand still”.
If you want to enrol your child in a fitness class there is a lot on offer in the large cities. It’s hard to know if your child will enjoy the class so you could ask if you could come along to one session to see if your child likes it before you pay the full term fee. The Yellow pages lists classes.
For swimming classes see yellow.co.nz/browse/popular/swimming/
Community Net Aotearoa www.community.net.nz provides access to relevant, quality information in the community sector. Go to the child and youth section to find groups such as Boys Brigade in NZ, Kids 4 Drama, Outward Bound etc.
NZSearch www.nzsearch.co.nz is a great directory, designed to provide the most useful, searchable directory of web sites maintained by New Zealand organisations and New Zealanders. Go into kids’ stuff and you will find links. You can also use NZ search to go into city and regional councils or see www.localcouncils.govt.nz or lgnz.co.nz/lg-sector/maps/.
SPARC (Sport and Recreation) www.sparc.org.nz/
At SPARC, the mission is to get New Zealanders enjoying and excelling through sport and recreation.
SPARC lists activities that help with balance, strength, rhythm, brain development, and hand-eye coordination for children from newborns to five years old.
For information about getting under-fives moving and for Active Movement resources call 0800 ACTIVE.
Physical activity guidelines for children and young people five-18 years old
www.sparc.org.nz/en-nz/young-people/Activity-Guidelines-5-18-Years/
SPARC states that New Zealand children and young people should:
• do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day; be active in as many ways as possible, for example through play, cultural activities, dance, sport and recreation, jobs, and moving from place to place.
• be active with friends and whanau, at home, school, and in the community
• spend less than two hours a day (out of school time) in front of television, computers and game consoles.
•
Contact for information on joining clubs and sports facilities in your area. www.sparc.org.nz/en-nz/our-partners/National-Sports-Organisations/List-of-recognised-NSOs/.
SPARC’s Kidzone provides links to clubs and organisations that can assist with fitness. http://www.sparc.org.nz/en-nz/communities-and-clubs/Push-Play/Kidzone/Kidzone-Links/
Some of these include:
Girl Guides for girls aged five-18 www.girlguidingnz.org.nz.
Scouts equip young people aged six to 26 with the life skills of problem-solving, teamwork, citizenship, and healthy living; and provide them with access to a large range of outdoor activities including specialised caving, photography, flying, canoe and snow schools. www.scouts.org.nz.
Department of Conservation Get the kids enjoying the great outdoors with information on walking tracks, parks, events, and community projects. www.doc.govt.nz.
Feet First 2010 encourages year 1 – 8 school students to walk to school safely with a caregiver, friend, or organised walking group at least once a week, every week, during term time. www.feetfirst.govt.nz.
Kids’ Bike Jams Cycling events www.kidsbikejams.co.nz.
The Weet-Bix Tryathlon is run by the Sanitarium Health Food Company and is all about participation. It’s about getting out there, having a go and achieving a personal best. The event is open to everyone aged between seven and 15, and consists of a swim, followed by a cycle and a run. tryathlon.weetbix.co.nz.
The New Zealand YMCA is a community organisation, based on Christian principles, which aims to enable individuals and families to develop physically, mentally and spiritually and enjoy a healthy quality of life. www.ymca.org.nz.
Article by Helen Pulford (midwife and childbirth educator) owner of:
www.babywebnz.org, directory for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting web sites.
www.birthresources.org, childbirth education resources.
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