Tony's Take: Kids Need More Play and Parents Need to Make it Happen!

Tony Gentilcore

September/October 2007

To say that kids nowadays are just as stressed and cramped for time as their parents would be an understatement.  I’m often dumbfounded at the schedules that I see some kids trying to pull off.  Between the endless hours of homework (what’s up with 3rd graders having two hours of homework every night?), band practice, after school programs, and trying to finish the last Harry Potter book, it’s no wonder that many never have time to “play” or be remotely active during the school week.  As someone who has been in the fitness industry for a few years now, I can say without wavering that our kids today are in sad shape.  I have worked with kids who are twelve years old and can’t perform a simple lunge without falling over or who can’t even jump rope.  I’m sorry but this SHOULD NOT be happening.  Who is to blame?

I know many people would like to blame El Nino, but I’m going to point the finger at you, the parent.  I think in many ways, parents need to remember that kids are NOT little adults; they’re kids (thank you Captain Obvious).  Additionally, I think parents need to learn to practice a “closed door” policy with their kids.  More often than not, you will find the majority of kids in front of their computer watching YouTube or playing Guitar Hero on their Playstation after school rather than outside playing wiffle ball or shooting hoops.  When I was younger, I wasn’t even allowed in the house till dinner was ready.  Kids are sitting all day in school.  The last thing they need is to come home and sit in front of the television for a few hours.  Toss him or her a ball, shut the door, tell them you love them, and you will see them at dinner. 

As a parent you play an integral role in establishing long term habits in your child, one of which is promoting an active lifestyle.  Does little Timmy really need another video game?  Does he really need to go to those violin lessons?  Trust me, he doesn’t like it.  Give your kids more time to be kids….outside. 

(Dr. Gwenn's Comment: Tony's take is right on the mark! Kids do need more play and all us parents on some level or another are culpable for letting our kids true play time get sucked away by becoming over scheduled. Studies are clear that kids bodies get into the best shape when they have even 5-10 minutes to just run outside. Plus, their minds and souls reap endless benefits from unstructured time. Our job as parents this year: find ways to sneak in even 30minutes a day of total unstructured time for each of our kids with an emphasis on time outside and moving!)

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