A Better Way To Inspire

Following on from my last post, I believe the BBC has hit the nail on the head when it comes to promoting activity to children.

Whilst a celebrity dance show may not appear all that different to a kids' aerobics show, the effect of Strictly Come Dancing is infinitely better so far as children's perceptions of exercise are concerned.

For a start, it is not an institutionalised dose of exercise.

The kids are not being told to get up and dance, or put their hands in the air, lift their leg etc etc.

They are doing the exercise of their own accord - they see their favourite stars dancing, and they WANT to copy them. They hear the music, and they can't help joining in.

At Brownies all I have to do is start humming the Strictly tune and all the girls begin to salsa!

Furthermore, Strictly shows anyone can do it, AND more importantly, you don't have to be any good to have fun! The most entertaining performers are the ones who don't have a clue what they are doing, but are clearly loving every minute.

And then, when you finally see your favourite star acing a dance ... well then you want to ace it too!

That's why shows like Blue Peter are so important. They show people the children admore, presenters they have gotten to know, trying all kinds of activities and sports.

Sometimes they triumph, sometimes they fail, but the whole point is the more you try, the more likely you are to find something that you enjoy, and something that you will stick to.

That is the best way to promote activity in kids, because once children find an activity they enjoy, they will stick with it for years.