Running is one of the best and common Running exercises for adults and it is also recommended for the kids with proper guidance. At a young age, kids can get rewarding running benefits for their mental, physical, and personal development.
If the children become involved in running, they will be healthy, physically fit, and they can get valuable life-learning skills such building of confidence and participating within a team. Every kid has different needs and thus, parents should be careful when involving their children into running at an early age.
Below are some tips that parents can follow to have a great running activity for their children:
Make it fun
Running should not be a used as a punishment. As parents or someone they look up to, you should encourage the children to participate and give their best in running while having fun with other kids. They would continue running if they see it as fun activity. You should have a good time to because most likely they would get some inspiration from you.
Try to mix the activities and places
In order to avoid boredom among children, try to run in different places and add other activities. In this way, you will avoid repeating the same route for the kids and make it more fun. You can mix track trail, grass trail, or mud trail. Then you can switch the time: early morning or evening.
Be the kids’ hero example
The kids always look up to their parents and they watch and follow everything they see. If parents lead a positive example such as live for running, then it will pass on to their children. Kids will have a good outlook about running. Running will be a normal and fun activity for them because they see it from their parents. This is very encouraging for the young ones.
Start them slow
Just like any new runners, kids need to start off with short distances so their little bodies can adapt to the stressors of running. Start with age-appropriate distances. Although running is a completely natural activity for kids (they do it on their own all the time), if you have any concerns please consult with your child’s pediatrician before taking them running.
Introduce running in a slow pace
Beginners in runners need to start in a slow pace and kid should start with short distances, giving their bodies more time to adapt. There are age-appropriate distances and check them here:
Below 9: maximum of 3km
Age 9-11: utmost distance is 5km
Age 12-14: limit the distance to 10km
Age 15-16: maximum distance is half marathon
However, if you have any health concerns about your child, you can consult with pediatrician so you would know any considerations and recommendations.
Have a proper hydration
Kids easily get tired, thus parents should bring enough water and rest in between running. Proper hydration is important as it will help the kids be ready for running again. Let the kids know the importance of hydration.
Teach the kids about proper warm-up and cool down
Before running, stretching out is important. Teach the kids that stretching and basic exercise such as jumping jacks will help them run properly. Tell the kids that this is important thing to do before and after running.
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