There are several reasons that children require regular exercise. As there seems to be an increasing shift toward sedentary lifestyles, especially with advances in technology, it is increasingly important to understand how critical exercise is for your children. Understanding this importance will enable you to make the best possible decisions for the health of your children. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the importance of exercise for children.
Boost Cognitive Performance
Studies have shown that exercise can help to boost a child’s cognitive performance. When they get regular exercise throughout the day, they often achieve better academic results and may be able to learn more quickly.
Aids in Focus
Not only can exercise boost cognitive performance, but it can also help to aid in focus. Many people complain that their children have difficulty focusing, especially on their classes. When they work out excess energy through exercise, they are often better at focusing. This can provide additional improvements in other areas of their life.
Mood Improvement
Many people tout the benefits of exercise when combined with mood. Exercise tends to release “feel good endorphins” that can provide an immediate improvement to mood. These benefits extend to children that exercise regularly. In fact, exercise can also help to combat some symptoms of various mental health issues.
Better Learning
Regular exercise has been shown to have a substantial impact to the academic performance of children. When they are able to exercise regularly, they can often focus better in class. This will result in better grades, higher confidence levels, and accelerated learning. Better academic performance can result in a positive future for your child, which is just one of the many benefits that regular exercise can provide.
Increased Fitness
When you ensure that your children exercise on a regular basis, you will be able to ensure that they stay healthier and in better shape. This can help to reduce many possible issues, such as diabetes or obesity. In addition, regular exercise can help to create long-term benefits, because it will likely become a habit. When children get in the habit of exercising regularly, they will often see these benefits throughout their life.
Reduce Mental Health Problems
Exercise often helps to reduce mental health symptoms, like anxiety and depression. This can be especially helpful if you have a child that experiences separation anxiety. In addition, regular exercise can be a great outlet for stress, which can aid in reducing overall stress levels.
Expend Excess Energy
Excess energy can lead to an array of issues, like difficulty focusing and anxiety. When you ensure that your children exercise on a regular basis, you can help them to work out this excess energy. This is a critical component in keeping them healthy and preventing an array of problems while they are in school. Ensure they have access to many different exercise opportunities so that they can have fun strategies for getting their excess energy out.
How Much Exercise do Children Need?
Now that you understand the importance of exercise, it is also important to understand the amount of exercise that is necessary for your children. When you do so, you will be able to provide them with enough exercise to obtain all of these benefits. In general, kids and teenagers should have about 60 minutes of exercise every day. This number is actually higher for toddlers. In general, preschool age children should get around 120 minutes of exercise or active play daily. In fact, children generally shouldn’t go too long without moving around, except for while they are sleeping.
It is useful to understand the importance of exercise for children. When you do so, you will be able to ensure that they obtain all of these benefits, such as improved school performance, and a more positive mood. It is especially important to ensure that you provide your children with ample exercise opportunities to help keep your children happy and healthy. Our preschool program at Corner Canyon Academy can also help to provide your children with the routine and structure that they need to aid in their development. To learn more about our program, contact us at Corner Canyon Academy today!
