MIDDLE CHILDHOOD

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Activity in Middle Childhood

Which physical activities are best for my child?

Your child will benefit from developmentally appropriate physical activities he enjoys. Physical activities that can be sustained throughout life are ideal (for example, walking, hiking, biking, skating, dancing, and swimming).

My child participates in a lot of sports. Does she need to participate in physical education at school?

Yes. Physical education will help your child learn about the importance of physical activity, develop motor skills, introduce her to physical activities that can be sustained throughout life, and keep physically fit.

My neighborhood isn't very safe. How can my child be physically active if he can't play outdoors?

Encourage your child's school to provide after-school and weekend physical activity programs. Also, community organizations, recreation centers, and churches and other places of worship provide opportunities for children to participate in physical activity. Work with community leaders to ensure that your child has safe places for participating in physical activity (for example, walking and biking paths, playgrounds, parks, and recreation centers). Also, your child can do many activities at home with soft equipment that can be used in tight spaces. Examples include modified versions of bowling, basketball, darts, and golf. Additional activities your child can do at home include stretching, calisthenics, aerobics, and dancing.

My child likes to watch television and play computer games. She is not interested in sports. How can I encourage her to be more physically active?

There are many physical activities that a child can enjoy other than sports (for example, walking, biking, hiking, dancing, skating, and swimming). Limit the amount of time your child spends watching television and videotapes and playing computer games to 1 to 2 hours a day, and designate a specific period of time for physical activities she enjoys. Be sure to give her positive feedback when she is physically active.

How can I make sure my child's coach doesn't put too much pressure on him?

Don't be afraid to tell the coach that you want your child to have fun and to develop a positive attitude toward physical activity. Explain that you don't want your child to be pressured. Tell the coach that your child tends to discontinue physical activity if he thinks he's going to fail or if there is too much emphasis on competition.

When can my child participate in coed physical activity?

Before puberty there are no significant differences between boys and girls in height, weight, strength, and endurance. Therefore, boys and girls can usually participate together in physical activity until puberty.

Resources for Families

See Tool F: Physical Activity Resources for contact information on national organizations that can provide information on physical activity. State and local departments of public health and education, as well as local libraries, are additional sources of information.

Cooper KH. 1999. Fit Kids! The Complete Shape-Up Program for Birth Through High School. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

Figelman AR, Young P. 1991. Keeping Young Athletes Healthy: What Every Parent and Volunteer Coach Should Know. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Kalish S. 1995. Your Child's Fitness: Practical Advice for Parents. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Katzman CS, McCary R, Kidushim-Allen D. 1993. Helping Your Child Be Healthy and Fit with Activities for
Children Aged 4 Through 11. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement.

Kranowitz CS. 1995. 101 Activities for Kids in Tight Spaces. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.

Landy J, Burridge K. 1997. 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Raise a Child Who Is Physically Fit. New York, NY: Macmillan.

Micheli LJ. 1990. Sportswise: An Essential Guide for Young Athletes, Parents, and Coaches. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Seefeldt, V, ed. 1997. Handbook for Youth Sports Coaches. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Shisler J, Killingsworth R, Schmid T. 1999. Kidswalk-to-School: A Guide for Community Action to Promote Children Walking to School. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.