Having a Better Understanding Why Kids Need Exercise and Fun

image of a child preparing to exercise as he understands why kids need exercise
Photo by Chris Benson

Everyone needs exercise, especially children, but what’s the real reason why kids need exercise? Does it benefit youngsters, and is it good for their health?

The answer is yes. It’s the reason why Kristina Orliczky wrote her children’s book, “Mona’s Mitten a Story to MOVE to.” Exercising is helpful and healthy for any kid, which is why we need to follow tips to motivate kids to go outdoors and have all out fun!

Recognizing the many advantages of exercise for kids gives parents, guardians, teachers, and medical professionals the confidence to incorporate physical activity into their kids’ daily schedules. Most experts recommend that kids participate in physical activity daily, whether organized or unstructured.

With that said, let’s go ahead and discuss why children require exercise!

image of girl riding a bicycle showing everyone the reason why kids need exercise
Photo by Karan Suthar

Benefits of Exercise for Kids That Parents or Guardians Should Provide

For kids, regular exercise has a lot of advantages. Their emotional, mental, and physical health may be affected.

Some advantages include:

• Weight Management

Children who engage in exercise can burn more calories while maintaining a healthy weight since it boosts energy expenditure. It also aids in controlling metabolism, which is the process by which food is turned into energy.

• Emotional and Mental Well-Being

Physical activity enhances emotional and mental well-being. The “feel-good” hormones known as endorphins are released when you exercise, and they help to lessen tension, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

• Better Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Swimming, running, cycling, and dancing are examples of aerobic exercises that strengthen and increase the heart muscle’s efficiency. Additionally, they raise cardiac output, which improves the heart’s ability to circulate blood that is rich in oxygen throughout the body.

• Cognitive Development

Exercise has a positive effect on scholastic achievement and cognitive function. Engaging in physical activity improves cognitive functions like memory, focus, and problem-solving techniques by increasing blood flow and the supply of oxygen to the brain.

How Much Exercise Do Kids Need?

Children should exercise in different amounts according to their stage of development and age. Getting an idea of how much exercise a child requires helps us better understand why kids need exercise.

Preschoolers, or kids between the ages of three and five, benefit most from physical activity during daylight hours and during playtime. However, there are no set recommendations for how much activity they should get.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise school-age children and adolescents, or those between the ages of 6 and 17, to engage in moderate-to-intense physical exercise for at least 60 minutes daily.

Kristina Orliczky knows how important getting a kid to move is. She has probably read some facts about physical activity and wants to help children benefit from exercise.

image of father helping his child do some pull ups as he knows why kids need exercise
Photo by Vitolda Klein

Fun Ways to Get Kids Active and Have Them Exercising

• Skipping Rope

Skipping rope is a quick and easy workout that enhances rhythm, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness.

• Sports

Sports that are organized, like martial arts, basketball, soccer, or gymnastics, can help people enhance their skills, teamwork, and physical fitness.

• Active Play

Unstructured play activities like running, leaping, climbing, and tag are included.

• Yoga

Kids can explore online resources or age-appropriate in-person yoga classes. Mindfulness, flexibility, and balance can all be improved with yoga.

• Cycling

Cycling is an enjoyable exercise that enhances coordination, leg strength, and cardiovascular fitness.

• Playground Activities

Common playground features like climbing frames, slides, and swings work different muscle areas and enhance balance and coordination.

• Dancing

Children can express themselves creatively via dancing, which also helps them become more flexible, coordinated, and cardiovascularly strong.

Questions Parents Can Ask Any Doctor or Pediatrician

The following are some inquiries regarding exercise and kids that one would choose to make with a physician:

  • Are there any specific kinds of instruction or exercises that are best for kids?
  • What are the suggested guidelines for a child’s exercise regimen in terms of duration, frequency, and intensity?
  • When encouraging exercise in children with unique health concerns or varying capacities, are there any particular precautions or considerations to consider?
image of a child running so fast the background is blurred tells us why kids need exercise to move quickly
Photo by Greg Rosenke

Now That You Know Why Kids Need Exercise, It’s Time to Apply Them

Frequent exercise boosts children’s healthy growth and development. It also enhances cardiovascular health, fortifies bones and muscles, and helps them maintain a healthy body weight.

If you want a fun way for children to move, grab a copy of Kristina Orliczky’s “Mona’s Mitten a Story to MOVE to.” Visit her website at https://www.kristinaorliczky.com/order/ to buy her book today. You can also click here to buy it from Barnes & Noble! Check out our other articles, too, and discover How to Nurture Emotional Intelligence in Children?

Do you have any insights about how important exercise is for children? We’d like you to share some of that wisdom in the comments below!

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