Children need active environments, not more pressure to exercise

Children are not held back from physical activity by a lack of interest but by their surroundings, movement teacher and enthusiast Siim Tõnisson told ERR’s Vikerraadio.

Parents choosing an activity for their child should consider the child’s own interests, as well as the opportunities for movement offered by home and school. Tõnisson said not every child necessarily needs organised training if they get enough physical activity at school, in hobby groups and while spending time with their family.

He said regular training is built primarily on daily physical activity. Before enrolling a child in a training group, parents should find out whether the child is interested in the activity and, if not, consider why. If the child does have an interest, Tõnisson said they should start with activities the child wants to attend, often because friends are already taking part.

Parents’ own sporting habits can also influence children’s choices. For example, children whose parents play tennis may be more likely to take up tennis themselves.

Tõnisson said parents should talk to children about physical activity from an early age. However, young children do not always need lengthy explanations about its importance. It is more important for parents to be active together with them.

He said parents play an important role in shaping children’s activity patterns, but simply seeing a parent go to a workout or play padel is not enough. Taking the child along has a much stronger effect, he said.

The spread of electric scooters has also changed the activity habits of children and young people, Tõnisson said, pointing to the injuries associated with them and their effect on physical activity.

Smartphones have also reduced children’s activity levels. Tõnisson said that if phones are taken away, children must be offered something else in return. At his school, phones are kept in separate lockers, while students can use the gym and sports equipment during breaks. He said he helps direct them towards activities.

Schools should generally reorganise the school day so that students have an opportunity to move every day, Tõnisson said. One option is Liikuma Kutsuv Kool, a programme that includes a longer outdoor break during which students can play and move. Students can also lead games and invite their classmates to join. Movement can be added to lessons through active breaks.

Tõnisson said the problem is not that children do not want to move. At his school, children enjoy football, basketball, parkour, climbing and jumping. Even simple equipment can attract their interest. He recalled that 20 children once queued for the chance to jump onto a block measuring 90 centimetres on one side and 60 centimetres in height.