Fitness for School-Age Kids

Describes physical fitness basics for school-age children at home and at school. Lists suggestions for many sports and other physical activities. Also suggests ways to encourage physical play and movement in kids.

It's a common complaint--kids often say they hate gym class. Here is a three-step method for changing their minds and helping them love, or at least tolerate, PE.

Describes three popular methods to teach a kid to ride a bike: using training wheels, an undersized bike, or a full-sized bike with a parent running alongside.

The quality of kids' school lunches varies greatly. If your child regularly buys school lunch, is she getting a nutritious meal? Or is her tray loaded with fried, fatty, and/or starchy foods that fill her with empty calories? Here's how to make kids' school lunches better--now.

Healthy school lunches can really make a difference. Kids feel better and learn better when they fuel up with a nutritious meal. These guidelines will help you pack healthy school lunches.

Don't worry -- there are lots of ways to kindle (or re-kindle) an interest in sports and fitness.

With a walking school bus, kids walk to school as a group, with parents taking turns supervising. Setting one up is quick and easy, and benefits everyone who participates.

Look for an after-school care program that offers healthy foods, lots of time for active play, and lessons about nutrition and physical activity.

Help school-agers add more activity to their day with an after-school kids' running club. Starting one yourself is easy to do and simple to maintain, plus you get to join in on the jogging and walking--so your fitness levels get a boost too. A kids' running club requires very little equipment and doesn't have to cost a thing.

Does your child walk to school? Why or why not? Discuss this hotter-than-you-might expect topic.

Help your kids get healthy and help your community support safe routes to school by celebrating Walk to School Day in October. Many communities observe Walk to School Day, Week, or Month.

On International Walk to School Day, walk or bike to school! Your observance can be as simple as making a point to walk to school with your child on this day, or as big as a school-wide Walk to School Day event with awards, a welcome breakfast, and a guest speaker.

In 2006, International Walk to School Day expanded to become International Walk to School Month so that more communities and schools could participate. If you want to join in, all you need to do is walk or bike to school this month!

My review of Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids by Dr. Robert S. Gotlin, DO, published by DiaMedica Publishing. The book contains information for parents and coaches about sports, fitness, safety, and nutrition.

The American Council on Exercise offers advice on how to help kids learn exercise routines safely.

Movement specialist Rae Pica explains why recess really matters, for kids' health, behavior, and learning success.

Some kids show sports talent early, while others lag behind their peers. Both early and late bloomers face advantages and disadvantages that parents should know about.

Is there such a thing as too much time spent playing sports? Some kids may be crossing that line, says pediatrician Gwenn O'Keefe at MomsTeam.com.