Why Encouraging Children to Be More Active is So Important

Physical activity is absolutely vital for children’s health and development. Getting kids moving from an early age establishes healthy habits for life and can help avoid serious health problems later on. Here are the key reasons why, as a parent or foster carer, encouraging children to be more physically active is so important:

Improves Physical Health

Regular physical activity has been proven to provide huge benefits for children’s physical health. It helps build strong bones, muscles and joints, develops coordination and movement control, and boosts cardiovascular fitness. Active play helps children maintain a healthy body weight by burning calories. It also reduces body fat and can help avoid problems like childhood obesity, which is on the rise. Being active allows children to improve skills like throwing, catching and kicking. It helps them learn to control and be aware of their bodies.

Supports Mental Health

As well as physical perks, research shows exercise also greatly benefits children’s mental health. It can reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Physical activity helps produce ‘feel-good’ chemicals like serotonin and endorphins that boost mood. Regular exercise can improve children’s self-esteem and self-confidence as they develop new skills. Active play with others also promotes relationship-building and social skills. Active kids tend to have better focus in school and academic performance.

Helps Create Healthy Habits

Childhood is the best time to create habits that will last through adolescence and into adulthood. If physical activity becomes a regular part of a child’s routine early on, they are much more likely to continue being active later in life. This helps avoid health problems like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers that are linked to inactivity. Encouraging children and foster children to find sports and activities they genuinely enjoy will make them far more likely to continue participating. Creating this healthy habit early in life is much easier than trying to change entrenched behaviours later on.

Alternative to Screen Time

In the modern world most children spend a lot of time on screens and sedentary indoor activities like video games. While appropriate screen time has a place, an excessive amount has been linked to problems like shorter attention span, poor sleep, and weight gain. Encouraging kids to be more active provides a healthy alternative to extended sitting and screen time. Whether it’s team sports, playing in the park or riding a bike, opting for energetic activities will ensure kids get time away from screens and have positive outlets for their natural energy.

Fun Family Time

Being active as a family, whether it’s a walk around the neighbourhood or a trip to the swimming pool, is a great way to bond and make memories. Children are often motivated to participate in physical activities, especially when parents join in too. Exercising together models positive habits for children to follow. It’s also excellent quality time and an opportunity for meaningful parent-child interactions away from distractions at home, which is especially important if you foster with ISP Fostering. From family bike rides to playing catch in the garden, there are endless fun fitness activities families can enjoy together.

The earlier children are encouraged to be active and enjoy moving their bodies, the longer lasting the benefits will be. Fostering a lifelong love of physical activity in childhood is one of the greatest gifts we can give kids.

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