Parents can do their part to help children stay active and healthy during COVID-19 restrictions by going for family walks, runs and other activities.
By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
After hours of sitting in front of a computer screen learning their school lessons, opportunities for children to exercise have become fewer in these pandemic days. Organized sports have been forsaken, delayed or curtailed greatly. Contact sports and games are out, masks must be worn in playgrounds and even what was once a harmless game of Ring Around the Rosie is a no-no.
Yet parents, teachers and health professionals all agree: an active child thrives. Whether it’s the adrenaline, working off pent-up energy or just part of their development, kids need to move.
“We know children learn better when they’re active,” said Margaret Fisher, M.D., medical director of the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. “They sleep better if they’re active during the day. Everything about childhood is better when they have an active lifestyle.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions are negatively affecting children in many ways, according to Fisher. “When they’re at in-person school, they generally are getting much more active movement and even if it’s getting up and walking around, going to recess, doing all the normal things that happen. They’re not getting that now. It’s really important for parents try to find ways to keep their children moving.”
Fisher realizes it’s difficult when they’re learning virtually. “But even then, whenever there’s a break, it should be an opportunity to get up, walk around and ideally go outside, if that’s an option.”
“A lot of the playgroups aren’t happening anymore and all the sports have pretty much stopped or severely changed,” Fisher said. “So, it can take a lot of creativity” to find ways to encourage children to exercise.
“We want them to get out-of-breath activity, running around, kicking a ball back and forth; anything we can do to keep children active.
“You can take a walk around the block, run on the beach, those kinds of outdoor activities where you don’t have to worry about being exposed to others,” she said. Visiting a playground or park is another suggestion, always wearing a mask when appropriate.
“It’s not going to be easy,” said Fisher, “but it’s going to be worth it – for children and for adults.”
According to Jennifer Dunn, COO of the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, the Y has always been focused on healthy development and reducing childhood obesity. “We really encourage family time and building healthy habits,” she said. “We also recommend kids get unstructured play — 30 minutes three times a week.”
“Families can do that together by taking walks, going on hikes, riding bikes, doing something outside,” she said. And the Y has held outdoor group fitness classes all summer long.
“Now as the weather gets colder the Y offers swimming lessons to keep kids active. “It’s good exercise while learning a life skill.”
In addition to temperature checks and the usual protocol for members visiting the Red Bank facility, swim sessions are tailored for safe distancing. For example, the number of spectators are limited, open swim is only by reservation, one person per lane and other safeguards.
The newly launched Y Academy for children whose schedules are split between in-person and virtual learning offers opportunities for logging into their virtual classrooms, receiving academic support and non-contact games and activities.
“Physical activity is in that program every day,” said Dunn. “we know it’s just as important for them to unwind and spend time away from the screen.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips for helping keep your child active, abiding by mask and safe-distancing regulations:
• Start early. Young children love to play and be active. Encouraging lots of safe and unstructured movement and play can help build a strong foundation for an active lifestyle.
• Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself.
• Make physical activity part of your family’s daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together.
• Give your children equipment that encourages physical activity.
• Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields or basketball cour ts.
• Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.
• Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything your child enjoys, either structured or non-structured. Activities can range from team or individual sports to recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities, or free-time play.
• Instead of watching television after dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with family, such as walking, playing chase, or riding bikes.
• Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads, or knee pads for activities such as riding bicycles, or scooters, skateboarding, roller skating, rock-wall climbing, and other activities where there may be a high risk of injuries. Ensure also that activities are appropriate for the age of your child.
The article originally appeared in the Dec. 3 – 9, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
