Summer is here, and another school year has come to a close for many local families. It is key to remember that it is important to promote physical activity and learning opportunities for the youth in the community, especially since they will have a lot of free time to fill during the summer.
For some families, summer can be a difficult time to balance finding activities and learning opportunities for their children, while dedicating their time to work or volunteering commitments. The whole summer environment has changed since I was a child. Families can face demands on their finances that prevent them from participating in summer camps or even taking a summer vacation. Plus, most parents may not feel comfortable letting their children freely roam around the neighbourhood, unlike when I was younger.
There are a lot of distractions for youth these days too, with the age of technology offering them the ability to be connected online wherever they may play. So while they may be at a playground, sometimes they are still captivated by the games and activities offered on their iPhone or iPad.
More children and teens are overweight or obese now more than ever before. It is important for children to stay active. This is a lesson that any parent should teach their children at a young age. Remember that as adults, we are acting as role models for our youth.
Especially as these children get older, it is a challenge for them to get enough daily activity. Reasons include increasing demands of school, a feeling among some children that they aren’t good at sports, a lack of active role models, and busy working families.
In spite of these barriers, parents can instill a love of activity and help kids fit it into their everyday lives. Doing so can set healthy patterns that will last into adulthood. Physical activity helps prevent or reduce health problems. There are also many mental benefits of staying physically active, since there are many team sports that promote leadership, teamwork, cooperation, and community involvement.
Also remember, years of research show that summer learning loss is real and increases with the length of a break. When students are not engaged in some type of learning over several weeks, they lose math and reading skills. It remains important to find those valuable learning opportunities that can benefit the whole family.
There are many summer programs that are family-friendly that are offered in our community. It is important to find the time to participate in these activities, and encourage a healthier summer for the whole family. By staying active, and staying engaged in learning opportunities, our children are being encouraged to become good role models themselves.
