Everyone can benefit from regular exercise. “For kids, exercise means playing and being physically active” (Izenberg, ed. 2009). Children who engage in regular physical activity will:
· have stronger muscles and bones
· have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
· be less likely to become overweight
· decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
· possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
· have a better outlook on life
Children who are physically active will also sleep better and will be better able to handle physical and emotional challenges like running to catch a bus or studying for a test. (Izenberg, ed. 2009)
When children are physically active they are developing endurance, strength and flexibility. Children develop endurance while playing tag, strength as they cross monkey bars and flexibility as they bend down to pick up bean bags. Endurance, strength and flexibility are needed as children grow into adults.
When children are not physically active they will likely become overweight. Children who become obese are liable to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. They can develop bone and joint problems and they have a tendency to mature earlier. Overweight children are also prone to low self-esteem because of being teased and rejected by other children. Low self-esteem can in turn develop into depression. Overweight children may turn to anorexia nervosa or bulimia to try and lose weight in order to be accepted by their peers.
Adults can help children develop good fitness habits through example. When children see adults engaging in physical activities they are more likely to want to be physically active also. Physical activity should also be fun. If a child is not having fun they will not want to participate. Preschool children love to play “Duck, Duck, Goose”. This game is good for developing a child’s large motor skills. Children use both their large motor skills and fine motor skills while playing hop scotch. Hop scotch also helps with counting skills.
According to the website KidsHealth “combining regular physical activity with a healthy diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle” (Izenberg, ed. 2009). They also include tips for raising fit children.
· Help your child participate in a variety of activities that are age-appropriate.
· Establish a regular schedule for physical activity.
· Incorporate activity into daily routines, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
· Embrace a healthier lifestyle yourself, so you'll be a positive role model for your family.
· Keep it fun, so you can count on your child to come back for more
Resource:
Izenberg, Neil. 2009, Kids and Exercise, KidsHealth. Retrieved July 3, 2009, from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/exercise.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Great post. I love the idea of making fitness fun for the kids by playing games and interacting. We do have an obesity problem with children today in our society so it is important to find creative ways to get them moving.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking of the benefits of physical fitness, I didn't even think of sleeping better. I notice when I take my kids swimming or out to play at the park, they sleep so much better that night, and wake up well rested the next morning. As opposed to when they watch tv or play video games, they ted to be restless at night and wake up with little energy the following morning. I view it as a snowball effect, a child who is active continues to stay active, a child who doesn't do much continues to lose energy and becomes mor sedentary.
ReplyDelete