You may think it is suitable for your child to sit on the couch and play video games or to stare at the computer and click away on the Internet all day. Even if your child is naturally thin and looks like she is in good shape, physical activity and exercise should be incorporated each day as a way to keep your child as healthy as possible. A number of advantages to exercise for kids exist and are touted by the National Institutes of Health. Do not allow your child to miss out on the benefits of exercise.
Better Confidence
Exercising and playing sports leads to a child's improving her self-esteem. Being active builds confidence because new skills are learned. Children begin to improve at different physical activities like running, jumping and playing specific sports. It is also a good way for children to learn how to relate to other children their own age. They will also learn how to make new friends. The American Heart Association notes that inactive children usually become inactive adults. Start a child early on physical activity to set her up for a lifelong path of confidence and happiness as an adult.
Academic Improvements
The 2007 test scores released and published at the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study website noted a significant and somewhat surprising trend. Those children who engaged in physical activities via sports had better overall scores than those children who were more sedentary. The National Institutes of Health contends that physical activity helps your child become more ready to learn, which could explain better test scores for athletes.
Healthy Weight
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the rate of obesity in children has increased sharply in the last 20 years, going from fewer than 5 percent to almost 12 percent. A decrease in childhood activity is a large cause of this increase of obesity. Engaging your child in exercise at least 30 minutes each day can help your child maintain both a healthy weight and a healthy body image for the rest of his life.
Healthy Body
When your child exercises, she stretches her joints, increases her muscles and generally utilizes her body so that she is improving the strength of all of her joints, muscles and bones. These protect her from severe injury, both now and later in life as she ages.
Better Sleep
Your child expends extra energy when exercising--whether it is playing a simple game of tag at the park or playing on a basketball team in an organized game. Making sure to expend energy throughout the day causes her to sleep better at night, longer and more soundly. Making sure to establish good sleeping habits now can help your child be more focused--both in class and on the court.
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