Children are much more likely to engage in these healthy activities if they are accompanied by another child. When play partners are unavailable, parents need to reach out to neighbors, family, church members and other sources to find playmates. Daytime activities in schools, youth clubs, community organizations and city parks readily provide situations in which children have playmates and adult supervision to ensure their safety.
When children's play involves physical activity, children burn calories and are no longer sitting and snacking. Physical play is inherently healthy for children, and when given the chance and companionship to engage in such play, children naturally gravitate toward it.
Parents simply need to recognize the importance of physical play for their children, and create situations in which it occurs. It doesn't cost any money, but it does require an informed parent who uses whatever resources are available to get their child to engage in supervised physical play with other children. Say to your kids, "Let's get up and move!" Then, make it happen.
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