LTC Races Can Be Part of Plan to Help Kids with Healthy Choices

Parents usually want what’s best for their kids. As a result, it’s smart to give children tools that can help them make healthy choices. That way, when they’re managing their own lives, your kids will have reliable habits, increasing the odds that they’ll continue to act wisely.

If you’re a parent who wants to help your kids make healthy choices, the Lincoln Track Club shares some tips.

Promote Leadership

One of the most important qualities that adults can teach children is leadership. Leaders are responsible for taking charge in difficult situations, making decisions, and inspiring others to achieve their goals. While not every child will grow up to be a CEO or president, developing leadership skills at an early age can help children succeed in any number of fields.

Leaders are creative problem-solvers who are able to remain calm under pressure. They are good communicators and have the ability to motivate and inspire those around them. Teaching children leadership skills can help them in all areas of their lives, from academics to athletics to future careers. By encouraging children to develop their leadership potential, adults can set them on the path to a bright future.

Make Exercise a Family Priority

Scenes from a family Holiday Run outing at Pioneers Park.

It's no secret that exercise is good for children. It helps to build strong bones and muscles, improves cardiovascular health, and can help to reduce stress. However, getting children to exercise can sometimes be a challenge. One way to help is to make exercise a priority in your family. Set aside time each day for everyone to get moving and find activities that everyone enjoys.

Maybe your family enjoys going for walks together, or perhaps you prefer to play catch in the backyard. You can even start training together to run or walk in one or more of our local races. Whatever you do, make sure that it's something that everyone can participate in. By making exercise a priority, you can help your children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Focus on Healthy Eating

One of the most important things you can do is encourage your children to make healthy eating choices. But with so many tempting unhealthy options out there, how can you make sure your kids are getting the nutrients they need? One way to ensure that your child gets the right nutrients is to make sure they are eating a variety of different foods. This means including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in their diet.

It's also important to limit sugary drinks and snacks, as well as saturated fats. You can help your child make healthier food choices by teaching them about the importance of a balanced diet and helping them to understand what foods are the best for their bodies. With your guidance, they will be able to make healthier choices that will set them up for a lifetime of good health.

Encourage Play

Youth prepare for the start of LTC's one-mile Spring Forward Race in 2021.

Play time is essential for children’s development. Through play, children learn important life skills such as cooperation, communication, and problem solving. They also develop physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Psychologists have found that play time can help to reduce stress, improve moods, and promote overall mental health.

In addition, playing outdoors has been shown to improve children’s vision and increase their level of physical activity. With so many benefits, it’s clear that play time is essential for children’s development and well-being.

To help boost your children’s love of play, invest in non-digital items they can enjoy. This includes blocks and wagons for the younger set and board games and sports equipment for older children. Before making purchases, and to ensure safety and reliability, be sure to use this free resource for families where you’ll find ratings and reviews of a variety of toys and play items.

Discuss the Impact of Screen Time

Screen time has been linked to insomnia in teens, but it can certainly impact younger kids, too. Not only can screen time delay the release of melatonin, but the addictive nature of some apps can encourage kids to stay online far longer than they should, causing them to miss out on critical sleep.

While some of the concepts are complex, speaking with your children – regardless of their age – about the impact of screen time is wise. It lets you explain why you set various limits, increasing the likelihood that they’ll follow any rules.

It’s clear that making healthy choices at a young age can have a positive impact on children as they grow older. As parents, it is our responsibility to help guide our children in the right direction and teach them about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. By setting a good example and providing opportunities for our kids to be active, we can help them develop lifelong habits that will keep them healthy and happy.

There are two races left in the Lincoln Track Club season, the 46th annual Buffalo Run on Sept. 18 and the Holiday Run, set for Dec. 4. We’d love to see you and your children out there making healthy choices together!