Trainer-nutritionist Olga Yablokova highlights how integrating playful, varied activities into daily family life can foster a lifelong positive relationship with exercise among children, emphasising support over pressure.
Parents can make exercise feel natural for children by weaving movement into everyday family life, according to trainer-nutritionist Olga Yablokova, as reported by RIA Novosti. She said shared routines such as walks, bike rides, courtyard games and even dance sessions at home can help turn activity into something children look forward to rather than a duty.
Yablokova also argued that children should be free to try different forms of movement before settling on what suits them best. That may mean dance, martial arts, swimming or team sports. The point, she said, is to let children find an activity that feels comfortable and worth returning to, rather than pushing them towards a single option.
The broader message is echoed by paediatric health advice from Healthline, HealthyChildren.org and KidsHealth, which all stress the value of parents modelling active behaviour and making fun the focus. Their guidance suggests that children are more likely to stay active when exercise is age-appropriate, playful and built into normal family routines, rather than treated as a test of discipline or performance.
Yablokova also warned against pressure, manipulation and rigid standards. She said warm support matters most after setbacks, and that parents should measure progress not only by formal results but also by gains in stamina, coordination and mood. That approach, family health resources note, can help children build a lasting, positive relationship with physical activity.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
