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Running with Your Kids: A Parental Guide

August 27, 2015

running with your kids a parental guide

Exercising is not only important for yourself, but for your children as well. It also doesn’t have to be a solitary activity, so the next time you head out for a run, take the kids along with you for a fun family activity.

Most children are natural born runners, but it is important to instill the proper techniques to make sure they are exercising safely. Check out these few pointers to ensure you are teaching your child how to run correctly.

Find the Right Shoes for Your Child

When running with your children, it is extremely important to make sure they have the right type of shoes and that they fit properly. Children are constantly growing and changing, so it is often easy to forget to check if your child has outgrown their shoes.

Check the fit and condition of your child’s shoes on a semi-annual basis. An easy way to do a shoe check is to go through and check what fits and what doesn’t when switching closets from summer to winter clothes and vice versa.

The right pair of shoes will help both you and your child avoid:

  • Running injuries
  • Blisters
  • Sore feet

Teach Your Child the Importance of Stretching

Before each run, teach your children the importance of stretching and loosening up before any form of physical exercise. Not only will emphasizing and practicing stretching become a good habit for kids to incorporate into their routine, but it will also reduce their risk of injury when exercising.

Make Sure Your Child Can Go the Distance

Running with your children is great; however it can be easy to forget that they may not be able to run the distances you are used to. Let your children set the pace and distance of each run you go on so that they will not be overworked and possibly injure themselves.

Remember to take some bottled water with you and your child when running and occasionally stop to rest. If it is sunny and hot out, make sure to wear sunscreen and exercise caution when outside in the heat. If it’s too hot, consider running with your child on an indoor track instead.

Next Up: How to Keep Your Kids Safe When Using Fitness Equipment