SUNDAY FORUM

• Best advice for kids: Move, move, move • Winning the battle for fit kids • Time to 'run outside and play' • No room in schedule for exercise • Health concern led to quest for fitness • Fitness bits • What you can do now • Part #1 of series (Sep. 26) • Part #2 of series (Oct. 3) YOUR VOICE

We hope you'll find an idea you can commit to, and sign up on our "Join Us" pledge. It's time to make Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a region that's known for taking care of its children.

For families:

• Sounds simple, but dress your kids to play. Tight or expensive clothing and higher-heeled shoes prevent kids from being active.

• Think play, not exercise. Tag, shooting hoops, backyard volleyball or kickball all can be great aerobic activities that fit all age groups and require no particular skill.

• Make more birthday and holiday gifts some form of athletic equipment, classes or fitness clothing.

• Walk everywhere you can - to school, the post office, the store, the pool, the park.

• Build vacations - even weekend getaways - around physical activity. Swim, hike, canoe, cross-country ski.

• Make an evening walk or backyard game an everyday ritual your family won't do without.

For schools:

• It's tough to counter budget demands and increased testing, but kids need more physical education time. Step up your requirements - and justify the cost to your community.

• Add or expand intramural programs. They give less-athletic students a chance to be active.

• Make activity, not food, the reward for good behavior.

• Find ways to open school athletic facilities for children's use before and after school hours.

• Consider starting a "walking school bus" program, in which students walk to school in large groups.

For businesses:

• Recreational facilities, such as golf courses and fitness clubs, can consider designating a family night or giving family discounts. You'll not only help kids be active, you'll build a future consumer base for your sport.

• Build family fitness opportunities into staff social events and use them as employee incentives.

• Consider how your business climate and practices affect your employees' ability to be active, involved parents. A willingness to address the issue will result in a healthier and more loyal staff.

• Donate sports equipment for playgrounds in needy schools.

For communities:

• Pledge to make your community more walkable. The national movement Safe Routes to Schools is a good plan to consider. Find details on the National Center for Bicycling & Walking's Web site, www.bikewalk.org.

• Look for ways to collaborate with schools, local businesses and nonprofits on community fitness facilities and events. You'll build a base of support and may be able to share costs.

• If safety is a problem, plan specific times and sites for physical activity - a community walking night, for example - and concentrate on security so citizens feel safe taking part.

For policymakers:

• State education officials should increase physical education requirements. Daily P.E. classes or an activity period at the end of each day will make a crucial difference in kids' health.

• State, county and city leaders should lead the crusade to make communities more conducive to walking, biking and moving. That crusade should include determining current fitness assets, surveying residents' needs and earmarking funding.

• Every community needs a comprehensive recreation and activity plan.