You Don't Need to Be an Athlete to Train Like One

You probably know that kids need to be active. But here's what's less obvious: the way you relate to movement matters more than whether you sign them up for the right programs. Children don't just need activity—they need to see adults who have a healthy, joyful relationship with it. And right now, they're watching everything you do. 1. Kids Mirror Your Relationship with Movement When children see you enjoying physical activity—not suffering through it—they internalize that movement is joyful, not punishment. At SkanStrength, we consistently watch kids light up when their role models join in our activities. They don't see "exercise" as something adults dread; they see it as something fun that brings people together. Research backs this up: adult encouragement and attitudes toward being active significantly influence how much children move and play (Jago et al., 2020). Your relationship with your body and movement becomes theirs. 2. Your Stress Response Becomes Their Blueprint Here's something more powerful: kids are watching how you handle stress, setbacks, and challenges. When you model healthy coping through physical activity, play, or mindfulness practices, you're teaching them invaluable life skills. Studies show that how parents manage their emotions becomes the template for how children learn to handle their own emotions—for better or worse (Morris et al., 2022). Children learn coping strategies by watching adults, even when they don't directly see the strategy in action but simply experience the adult staying calm during tough situations (University of Vermont, 2018). That walk you take when you're frustrated? The pickup basketball game you play with friends? Your kid is filing that away as "this is how adults handle hard things." 3. Lifelong Play Creates Deeper Connections When adults continue to play—whether with friends, in sports leagues, or alongside their kids—it creates opportunities for genuine connection that goes beyond typical adult interactions. Research shows that play releases endorphins and reduces social barriers, allowing for more authentic relationships. Children who see their parents laughing, being silly, and enjoying recreational activities with others learn that play isn't something you outgrow. It's a tool for building and maintaining meaningful relationships throughout life (Gray, 2013). This modeling teaches them that staying playful is actually a social skill that enhances friendships, family bonds, and overall life satisfaction. Why This Matters for How We Build Programs This is exactly why we design programming that serves multiple generations at SkanStrength and through our Neighborhood Games. We encourage whole families to find activities they love, and we create environments where everyone—regardless of age—can experience their own version of joyful movement. Because the best youth fitness program in the world won't matter if kids go home to adults who treat movement like a chore. Want to explore what this looks like in practice? Check out our Neighborhood Games for community play that welcomes all ages, or learn about our family-friendly wellness programming at Skaneateles Fields. References: Jago, R., et al. (2020). Parental modeling and sedentary behavior. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. Morris, A. S., et al. (2022). The role of the family context in the development of emotion regulation. Social Development. Gray, P. (2013). Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier. University of Vermont (2018). Children's emotional development research findings. Retry