Physical Education

School districts vary widely in the amount of physical education they offer, so it’s especially important for parents to encourage physical activity and model good behavior. Organize family activities that incorporate physical activity, such as walks and bike rides. Outdoor chores such as raking leaves or shoveling are a good way to squeeze exercise into a busy weekend.

Gym & Recess

Find out how much physical activity your 2nd grader is getting each day at school and what sorts of activities they are doing in gym class or at recess. This will give you a better understanding of their overall level of physical activity.

Toys & Activity

Encourage physical activity by giving your child toys that require movement, such as a kite, scooter, or jump rope.

Enjoying Exercise

If you are concerned that your 2nd grader is not active enough, try to find ways to make physical activity more enjoyable for him. For example, inviting friends over to play outside might motivate him. Or having you offer to kick a ball or play catch with them could spark their interest.

Age-Appropriate Sports

Explore age-appropriate lessons and sports for your 2nd grader. These might include gymnastics, ballet, or soccer. As your child’s gross motor skills become more refined, your child may express an interest in sports that even a year ago were too difficult for him. Expose them to as many options for physical activities and sports as possible. Community organizations like the local YMCA often offer affordable and kid-friendly yoga or Tae Kwon Do classes.

Natural Ability

It is around this age that some children start to demonstrate natural athletic ability and inclination, while others begin to resist physical activity and to think of themselves as “not sporty.” Even if your child doesn’t seem to take to sports naturally, encourage your child to try out different activities and to find one that suits him. Some children resist team sports but can excel at individual sports like tennis or track. Make sure you let him sample a variety of sports to find their interest, and think of non-traditional sports, like fencing or archery that might appeal to him. Reward and encourage persistence, so that even if your child is not a “natural athlete” your child learns to enjoy participating and pushing themselves to improve.