Get Your Child Involved

When I was younger, my mom signed me up for what seems to me like every after-school activity in the book. Tap dance, ballet, ballroom, piano lessons, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, and the list goes on. At the time, they were all things that I enjoyed, and it kept me busy. More importantly, I learned from it, and I got an efficient amount of exercise to keep me healthy.
My mom always told me that she wanted me to participate in these activities because it keeps me busy so I won't get into trouble. Aside from that though, it taught me to have fun dancing and playing sports. It taught me that exercise can be fun.
Get your child involved in programs and activities that will keep them moving. Signing him up for a local tee-ball team will benefit him in more ways then just one. He will get exercise, he will learn the rules of the game, and he will learn to be around and socialize with other children.
If you can not afford to sign you children up for these activities, as many people can't with rising costs and difficult times in the economy, take them to the park and play catch or get them together with some friends to play a sport. You can also check into the local churches. Most churches will play church ball once a week. It is free, and you don't have to be a member to participate.
Get your child into sports. They will have fun and get exercise without even knowing it. It will be a life-long benefit for them.

Keep Up on Your Child's Doctor Visits

My previous blogs have discussed the next generation of children and the risks, as well as some causes, of childhood obesity. Now I would like to help guide concerned parents in the right direction as to what they can do. The American Acadamy of Pediatrics suggests that you keep up on your child's doctor visits. The scheduled doctor visits for children recommended by the AAP is as follows:
- Newborns should see their doctor within three to five days after birth and within two to three days after leaving the hospital.
- Babies should be seen at age 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months.
- Toddlers should be seen at age 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 30 months.
- After age 3, it is recommended that your child should see their doctor once a year.
These recommendations are fit for healthy children. If your child has a health condition, your doctor may recommend that he come more often. Your doctor or insurance company may prefer a different schedule. Also, if you have not been going to scheduled doctor visits as shown above, it isn't too late to start. Pick up the phone and make an appointment.
Basically, I am suggesting that if you have children of your own, get them into the doctor, and take them in again when your doctor recommends. This way, if a problem exists or develops, the doctor can fix it before it worsens. The well-child visits (taking your child to the doctor when they are not sick) are to help parents and doctors work together to do what they can to keep children from getting a preventable health condition. The doctor may also be able to diagnose a problem, when a parent can not.