I know it can be a challenge to get your children to exercise sometimes, however there are so many benefits for them. Here are my top reasons why exercise is important for children.
1. Better sleep
Doing exercise allows children to sleep better and therefore handle physical and emotional challenges more effectively. More active children have been shown to have more confidence and higher self-esteem.
2. It starts to introduce healthy habits
By exercising regularly, children begin to understand and develop healthier habits leading into their adulthood. They understand why it’s important and get more enjoyment out of it if parents are also enthusiastic about these healthy habits.
3. It improves behaviour
There is strong evidence to support that regular outdoor activity improves behaviour problems with children. Children’s stress levels begin to fall when seeing the outdoors, and it can especially benefit children with ADHD as well.
4. It fights disease
By children performing physical activity, it helps keep their weight down, reduces their risk of developing diabetes, strengthens their bone mass and — if they go outside — will increase their vitamin D levels.
5. It improves balance and co-ordination
The more children move around and put their bodies in different positions, the more they will naturally develop better balance and co-ordination, which when they get older will allow them to have better mobility.
6. It helps brain power
Evidence has shown that children who exercise regularly have a better focus for their school work, therefore helping them to achieve their grades.
What you can do
The key thing to remember is to make the exercise fun. If the child enjoys what they are doing, they are more likely to exercise again.
Games are a good way to go, and doing a sport that they enjoy. This can include activities such as:
- Tag
- Races
- Building your own obstacle course
- Walking
- Hopscotch
- Capture the flag
I hope you found this useful. I have taught children of all ages martial arts and have seen a great increase in their confidence.
Feel free to contact me to find out more.