According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, children should exercise for an hour every day. It helps in strengthening the growing muscles and bones combined with quality nutrition and adequate sleep.

Some children are naturally drawn to exercise, while others need encouragement and cajoling. For those in the latter category, here are some tips to get them moving.

Find a reason to exercise : Motivation goes a long way. Talk to your child about the benefits of exercise. The reason should be precise, specific yet simple to understand and explain.

Mix it up : Doing the same type of activity or exercise every day gets boring for children. Try new ideas every day. Run, walk, bike, swim, dance… the options are limitless.

Build momentum : The more your child moves throughout the day, the more energy he / she will have for actual training or exercise. Go for the stairs instead of the elevator. Move around the house every hour. Stand more instead of sitting.

Set reasonable goals : Keeping your expectations high is good but ensure the expectations are reasonable. There is no magical wand to derive results. Remember, children’s body takes time to adjust and improve.