Let your kids get fit this summer

Summer vacations are the ideal time to teach your child a sport; city has a range of workshops on offer

From chess to rappelling, yoga and running, parents are encouraging children to go out and get some sun this summer vacations. And several workshops are being held across the city to cater to this demand.

Summer vacations are the ideal time to teach your child a sport; city has a range of workshops on offer (HT photo)

“Sport is grossly neglected in school curricula,” said Colaba resident Sanjana Cole, a mother of two. “Between homework and tuitions in the evenings, children get no time to go out and play. So during the summers, I make sure my child goes out. Sports camps are excellent energy boosters on lazy summer days.”

Doctors have been highlighting the dangers of children getting little physical exercise. Summer vacations are an ideal time to combat this. “Affluence is growing, eating habits are changing and life has become very comfortable. We shun any activity that causes any sort of discomfort. This means obesity is on the rise. To counter this problem, summer camps are an excellent way to get children excited about running and playing outdoors,” said Jay Shah, the co-founder of The Sports Gurukul, which has been organising sport camps for 13 years.

Many camps are also using sports to beat the stress of school and exams. Lil’ Yogi, an institute specialising in children’s yoga, is offering a unique integration of yoga with games and mindful activities. Andheri resident Sanyukta Paul, the mother of a four-year-old, said, “My daughter attended the yoga camp and she liked it so much that she now enjoys meditation. It has also helped increase her flexibility and concentration.”

Another offbeat workshop is Ileap (Integrated Learning Enrichment Achievement Program), which works on a concept called ‘Borderless Education’, which takes participants through different subjects. The organisers said this would allow education to evolve and make it complete. This year, through a scavenger hunt, Ileap aims to explore different themes and help children learn how to deduce information and associate this with learning.

Outdoor camps are another popular choice this summer.

“Adventure camps teach important life skills to children. They learn to overcome difficulties and become confident of handling problems on their own. Camps are also an excellent way to spend time with family” said Malavika G, a student who regularly attends camps with her family.

Shruthi Gadiyal, a counsellor at Navy Children School, Colabal, said, “Physical fitness translates into mental fitness. Extra-curricular activities increase productivity and improve inter-personal skills. It’s time parents encourage children to take part in sports, and not only focus on academics. Children need to have fun, not be constantly bogged down by studies.”