When people think of exercise, they almost always have physical exercise in mind. The free Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines exercise as bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness.
Similarly, freedictionary.com pegs exercise as physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body. It adds that exercise is used to improve health, maintain fitness and is important as a means of physical rehabilitation.
Image courtesy of Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Although exercise can be mental, too, in this post, we will focus more on physical exercise and its effect on children.
As most parents are probably aware, exercise for children does not have to be the kind of exercise adults do in a gym setting, lest it become piteously boring for the little ones. Children love to play – something that needs to be encouraged – run for fun or competitively, bike around the neighborhood, play ball or catch with playmates, even walk to school.
Others love to dance, go bowling, do push-ups or read while reaching their toes.
As studies have often demonstrated, children who exercise on a regular basis tend to exhibit the following:
- They are often less stressed. Even in adults, medical experts believe that one way to ward off stress is to exercise, and not to raid the kitchen and eat and eat.
- They have a better perception of themselves, thus, boosting overall self-confidence.
- They achieve and maintain healthy weight, fighting off potential health problems caused by obesity.
- They sleep better at night, ensuring a good mood in the morning when they wake up and enough energy to face the day full steam ahead.
- They develop healthy bones, joints and muscles.
- They are mentally ready to learn in school than their inactive counterparts. Mounting evidence emphasizes that children who are physically active tend to focus more and fidget less in the classroom.
- Exercising and/or playing with other children help them develop their socialization skills.
So in today’s time and age where children are exposed more than ever to TV, video and computer games, it is a must for parents to encourage their children to spend time outside the house and play, both for fun and exercise.
What to read next:
Latest posts by Maricel Rivera (see all)
- Creating a Working Environment in the Home - October 4, 2013
- Time Management is Life Management: When Life Gets Inundated by Time - June 16, 2013
- Speed Writing Is Not Rocket Science, Or Is It? - June 9, 2013
Exercise are good for children, it would be better if parents and children can do it together as a sort of bonding activity.
That’s good, that while they are still young, they are getting used to healthy living.. 🙂
I most definitely agree with you, Marvs!
You’re right about that, Zen!