Should you start teaching him or her how to go jogging? Or perhaps take them out in the woods for a wilderness experience? These are some ideas on where to begin, but I think there’s more to it than that. What if, instead, you took your child to a summer camp where they could use their imagination and creativity?
Here’s what I mean. I never would have thought of a summer camp as a good place to teach kids about running, but it’s true. What do you do in a situation like this? You make sure that each day is a new adventure. You make sure that your child doesn’t get bored, and that they keep trying.
Wanted To Build Muscle
For instance, let’s say your child wanted to build muscle. Would you tell them to lift weights? Maybe start with a push or two. Or could you take them to the swimming pool, where they could get really wet and muddy? Then it would get even more fun! You guide them to using their muscles to do fun things and let them know that when they are tired, it’s time to rest and let their muscles regroup.
So how do you create a guide to running? Well, that all starts with you. You need to inspire and motivate your child. The best way to do that is by being yourself, talking to your child, laughing with them, and encouraging them.
How To Get Started
But before you can do any of that, you have to make sure that your child knows how to get started. That’s why you want to start the guide at a young age, so you can get them into running in the right frame of mind. Here are some things to do:
Have fun with it. This is one of the keys to creating a guide to running. Don’t just tell your child to put on a shirt and a running cap, then let them run around, keep their head down, and keep breathing. Make your own guide by having fun with it.
Set A Goal
Set a goal. It doesn’t matter what age your kids are. If they are old enough, ask them what they want to accomplish when they are done. Do they want to be like their favorite runner, or maybe go for a long run across the park? Once you have a goal in place, you can make the guide to running even better by planning out what they should do throughout the day, and what they should do after the goal has been reached.
Go out with them. If your child isn’t ready to start running yet, take them out for a run. It doesn’t matter what time of day, just go out and have fun together. A guide to running will make the experience more fun for both you and your kids.
Joining A Club
Have them sign up for something. This can be as simple as joining a club or as involved as taking an exercise class at the local community college. There are all kinds of clubs for kids, from soccer, to cheerleading to dance classes. Why not have them sign up for a group that they are interested in. Some people start a guide to running after they start school. Or, maybe they see a movie they want to go see and want to join a walking group.
Read books about it. Your kids will love this tip. Just bring them to your library and make them pick out a book to read. Make sure it is age appropriate so they don’t start reading about things that are too adult. You can even get a couple of them to read at the same time if you have enough books. Read books about running away. This is a great way to show your kids how to prepare for their first experience running.
Final Words
The guide will show them different routes, some of the sights and sounds of the woods, and will help teach them about safety. It can also show them the importance of taking care of their feet. Have them go out on a long hike. Do this before you take them running. This will give them a chance to acclimate themselves to the rough terrain and give them a good workout. If they are up for it, let them make the trek with you. It will make a great bonding experience and you will have fun watching your child work out.
