Charleston Women Spring 2021

www. Char l es tonWomen . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. Facebook . com/Char l es tonWomen CW it into adulthood. Tilly reminded us that “healthy exercise habits taught in childhood are likely to continue into adulthood,” — but what captures and keeps the attention of a child is the incorporation of enjoyment. “More often than not, children love being active as long as the adult in charge makes it fun,” she noted. Owners, operators and soccer coaches of Happy Feet Charleston, Jackie Cooper and MJ Phillips are well- known throughout the Lowcountry for bringing fun and fitness to the field. Happy Feet is a youth soccer organization that offers classes, leagues and after-school programs for children ages two and up. Their motto is “HappyFeet — It’s Not Just Soccer — It’s FUN,” and the staff members use songs, stories, adventures and games to turn conventional soccer methods into pure joy. “Enjoyment is central to the concept of play and must be seen as one of the major priorities in early childhood activity,” Phillips said. “As a motivational factor, there is possibly nothing greater than the enjoyment provided by the satisfaction of the play characteristic.” When a program like Happy Feet makes being active enjoyable, kids begin to see physical fitness as less of a chore and more of an activity that they truly look forward to. “Also, physical activity enhances mental health and helps children develop self esteem by helping them set goals and achieve them,” Cooper added. An equally important factor in keeping kids active is interested participation from mom and dad. “Do it with them,” Zimmerman urged. “Kids want to know that you’re on board with their activities. They want you to like it too.” Parents often underestimate the role they play in their child’s interest in activities, but “being a physically active role model means everything to a young child,” Zimmerman reiterated, adding that demonstrating your own healthy relationship with physical fitness helps a child see value in strength and shape conditioning. Tilly echoed this notion, adding: “In addition to reducing obesity through a more active lifestyle, exercise has tremendous benefits for our emotional health. Unfortunately, children at younger and younger ages are becoming increasingly concerned with issues around body image. Children take most of their cues from their environment — the adults around them, media and cultural cues.” That said, it’s important that adults equip children with the ability to see the value in engaging in regular and consistent physical fitness in order to take care of their minds and bodies. “Body image should relate more to well-balanced physical and social activities versus the messaging of popular media,” Tilly advised. The responsibility ultimately falls on adults to frame fitness as a vital and important part of the day for the next generation. Health and wellness need to become as important to us as school and leisure to ensure our children will lead long and happy lives. Happy Feet helps introduce a love of soccer to youngsters with Bob, the smi ley face soccer bal l . www.SubtleAndSass.com @subtle_and_sass @subtleandsass Thank you for supporting small business! ® health and wellness CharlestonWOMEN is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on the needs and desires of women who are business leaders, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, neighbors, wives, sisters andmuchmore. REACH AREA WOMEN ADVERTISE WITH US! For Distribution and Marketing Information Call 864.612.7694 or Info@CharlestonWomenMagazine.com