Couches and cattle-prods: how to get your children moving

Review how your child gets to and from school: is walking or cycling feasible at least once or twice a week, if not every day?

Try to ensure your child gets a chance to be active after school, whether in organised sport or playing outside with friends.

At weekends, take the opportunity to exercise outdoors as a family.

Find out what is done in your child’s school at break time to encourage children to be physically active and maybe offer to help with fundraising for equipment such as skipping ropes, balls, basketball hoops and so on, if necessary and appropriate.

At parent-teacher meetings, ask how your child is getting on in physical education, as well as in academic subjects.

Volunteer as a parent representative for the Active School Flag committee if the school is working on it – or suggest they set one up if it isn’t.

Remember you are your child’s role model, so get off the couch.