Why should children exercise? Here are the top 10 reasons why helping kids become active once again is worth the disruption to our adult lives:
1- Children who are active 60 minutes per day demonstrate lower rates of obesity.
2- Greater rates of activity in children have been associated with higher test scores in reading and math.
3- Physical (body) and cognitive (brain) development go hand-in-hand. While this continues for life, this relationship is most critical at a young age. When kids are active, their brain develops, allowing for new types of activity.
4- Frequent physical activity has been associated with improved behavior in the classroom and beyond.
5- Aerobic activity has been shown to increase the size of essential brain structures and number of neural connections.
6- Frequent activities requiring a high degree of balance and coordination have been associated with improved emotional response.
7- Frequent exercise decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety in children.
8- Regular exercise with children promotes self-efficacy with regard to health and self-image.
9- Play-based activity that requires a high degree of sensory input (sight, sound, touch, etc.) helps develop a broad array of skills that make physical activity more enjoyable later in life.
10- It appears that active children are more likely to become active adults.
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