Get kids moving
Hey, Coach! I want my 13- and 9-year-old kids to start becoming more active and to play more. They are both a little overweight and I am hoping this will solve their problem. They are both boys, but the age difference makes it difficult to for them to play with each other.
What suggestions do you have for me?
Signed+..Left, Right, Left
Dear Left, Right, Left: Perhaps a good place to start is to do your best finding activities with a lot of movement, but are “disguised” as fun to do. Does that make sense?
Is there a playground in your area where they could possibly play and interact with other kids? Swimming and biking also come to mind, and the boys can do both activities without worrying about age differences and competing.
If there are a number of kids in your neighborhood, kickball, soccer and perhaps wiffleball can be fun, if the skill levels of the younger kids are appropriate, and don’t forget to try to include girls.
In fact, some girls may be more skillful than some boys.
In the Coach’s (everyone’s) neighborhood when he was growing up, basketball was the game of choice, but the ages of your boys would make it difficult to play one-on-one, but they could play “hotshot” and other games that have little to do with age and physical maturity. If you live in a place that has access to a YMCA or something similar, these are typically great places for kids, although there may not be the same kinds of programs that we old-timers used to have.
Lastly, perhaps an important thing to offer is that if you want your kids to become more active, be active yourself. If parents “play,” kids will play. While learning how to compete at a young age can sometimes be a good thing, just concentrate on things that are fun.
Kids can be challenged, but, at the end of the day, children (most people) will stick to things that are fun.
To be fun, it is important that they have some success and feel good about their experiences.
Oh; and don’t forget about a walk/jog program in the neighborhood or at a track.
‘Uniontown’s Got Talent’
The Coach had a few minutes to spare last Saturday morning, so he checked in on some of the auditions for ‘Uniontown’s Got Talent,’ which was held at the State Theatre.
There were about 20 acts, and, yes, there was plenty of talent from Uniontown and Fayette County. The Coach believes it’s fair to say that those in attendance at last year’s actual performance were very surprised at the level of talent and the variety of acts. This year’s event in the fall should also be very entertaining.
To the Coach’s surprise, two young hoopster girls from the rec center, who the Coach has had the pleasure to teach, were there. Although the Coach couldn’t hear everything that the judges said to 9-year-old Ab, you had a really snazzy dress and the judges had some very complimentary things to offer after your performance. Good job, and keep up the good work.
To 10-year-old MJ, you had a great stage presence, and the judges also offered some compliments to describe your efforts, to include the word poise. They also used the word talented to describe your singing and guitar playing.
Good job to you, too, and keep up the good work, as well.
Perhaps the Coach will get to see you both perform again, and he definitely encourages you both to continue to be involved in hoops and other sporting activities, along with developing your many other talents. Again, great job girls.
You both were fantastic.
“Uniontown’s Got Talent” is sponsored by the East End United Community Center.
Coach’s Comment: Except on rare occasion, each of us has the power to make ourselves happy or unhappy each day. We can choose which way we want to go.
Now, that’s power.
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You can contact the Coach at askthecoach20003@yahoo.com.