We all know that it can be so difficult to fit in that hour at the gym or to get time to squeeze in a Pilates class, especially if you have young Children and sleep is a priority! You’d like to lose weight or get fit, but it’s hard enough just to fit all your work and family life commitments into the day, so why not look at it differently and exercise with your child?

There’s a double dividend as not only does playing and being Physically Active develop stronger muscles and bones, improve emotional wellbeing, and promote better sleep patterns for children but you get fit at the same time.

We regularly hear about the health benefits for both adults and children and are aware that the recommendation for Young Children is to have at least 60 minutes of active play every day but this can be a challenge for some parents to fit in to the working week.

If you can’t take a full hour activity break each day, try to provide at least two half-hour periods or four 15-minute periods in which your child can engage in vigorous and fun activities to get their heart rate up and blood circulating.

Physically active children have lower levels of body fat, lower cholesterol, and a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life and paediatric studies show a link between regular, physical activity in children and an increase in cognitive ability.

The key is to choose an activity that will work for everyone. The simplest option is to get outdoors and take a family walk, jog, or bike ride and use a jogging buggy or child seat on the bicycle for younger children or they could ride their tricycles or bikes around the park while you walk or jog. It’s great for all the family and it’s free!

This article was written by Giraffe Childcare for eumom.ie