Physical activity and movement are needed in order for children to grow. Movement during childhood and adolescence assists with motor skill, thinking skill, social skill, and overall well-being development.
The amount of physical activity that is needed varies with age in children, and being in a position to be able to get them to do the right kind of movement at the right time can allow it to be possible to have a beneficial effect on development.
In the next section, we will describe the effects of physical activity on all aspects of a child’s development and how parents, teachers, and carers can support children with quality movement activity.
What is Physical Activity for Children?
Physical activity is any energy-requiring movement in children that can be sports or free play. Walking, running, jumping, climbing, playing, and dancing are the physical activities for a child.
Physical activity is required for healthy growth, adapting to growth, and learning, with the exception of a very few skills. It encompasses:
- Gross Motor Activities: big muscle movements (e.g., running, climbing).
- Fine Motor Activities: smaller muscle units and more organized movements (e.g., drawing, spoons).
- Active Play: Free and unrestricted play with toys, jumping rope, or tag.
Role of Physical Activity in Early Childhood
Children are just naturally moving; they will crawl, walk, run, or jump. They’re not pure exercise movements; they will need to learn foundational motor skills. Physical activity early in childhood is good for:
- Motor Skill Development: Early Intervention Program delivers enhancement of gross and fine motor skills through. Gross motor skill is large movement such as crawling, walking, and running, whereas fine motor skill is small and tiny movement such as drawing or spooming food during a meal.
- Brain Development: Physical exercise enhances the capacity for thought, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skillfully. Physical exercises like playing while dancing or with blocks make the brain connected with the body and develop a well-functioning brain.
- Social Skills: Body-based games support cooperation, sharing, and communication and permit kids to achieve social and emotional education.
How Much Time Should Children Spend on Physical Activity?
The physical intensity of the exercise will vary based on the child developmental stage. However, there are some common guidelines of the health professionals as follows:
- Infants (0-1 Year): Stick to tummy time, reaching, grasping, rolling, and other activity. Strength of muscles and coordination of children will need to be established. There may not be structured “exercise,” but activity to the maximum possible extent.
- Toddlers (1-3 years): Try 3 hours a day of exercise. Some of these include running indoors, playing catch with balls, running up and down stairs, and dancing.
- Preschool years (3-5 years): Once more, try 3 hours a day of exercise. The physical exercise should be a combination of moderate exercise (such as running and jumping) and strenuous play of exercise (such as playing tag or dancing).
- School-age children (above 6 years): At least 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity must be provided every day. Active play, walking, cycling, or sports are all included.
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Advantages of Physical Activity in Child Development
Physical activity is healthy for children in numerous ways. Not only do they improve their physical well-being, but also emotional, mental, and social growth.
Physical Advantages to Health
- Tones muscles and bones
- Improves cardiovascular fitness
- Supports healthy growth and development
- Prevents obesity and other diseases
Mental Benefits
- Enhances memory, concentration, and attention
- Assists brain development and learning
- Make problem-solving and critical thinking second nature
Social and Emotional Benefits
- Assists cooperation, teamwork, and communication
- Assists confidence and self-reliance
- Relieves depression, stress, and anxiety by releasing endorphin (the “feel-good” hormone)
- Makes children resilient in that they are able to adjust to disappointments and adversity as they play
Motor Skill Development
- Builds gross and fine motor skills (e.g., running, use of tools, balance)
- Builds agility, flexibility, and coordination
- Enables posture and awareness of the body in general
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Physical Activity Encouragement Strategies
Sometimes it is difficult to get children moving, particularly in today’s age of new technology. Parenting issues aside, however, carers, parents, and teachers all have their own methods in which they can foster an appreciation of movement:
- Children will move more if they enjoy it. Rather than trying to make “exercise” itself fun, move them around while playing games. Jump rope, label, or dance in the living room, for instance.
- Children will get their bodies moving if the adults they are with get their bodies moving. Take a few minutes and do it with them, and show them that sport is enjoyable—go for family strolls, cycle with them, or kick a ball around with them.
- Step-by-step increases such as walking or cycling instead of driving, climbing stairs as an alternative to the lift, or incorporating short periods into watching TV or studying are recommended. Get them to walk or run to the shops or play before tea.
- Provide enough physical activity so that your child gets to do his favorite thing. He/she can get engaged in a sport, hiking, swimming, or creating an obstacle course in the backyard. Excessive variety for the purpose of not getting bored.
- Get children involved with other human beings. Playdates can be done in turns, parks, or games on parts of the human body, such as relay races or football tournaments.
- Set meaningful limits on screen time (TV, computer games, tablet) to promote more physical activity. Encourage active screen-time substitutes, e.g., family activity or outdoor play.
- Enroll your child in a sport or physical activity they like—soccer, gymnastics, swimming, or dancing—or spend time with your children by doing family activities.
Role of Movement in Cognitive Development
Physical training is followed by brain development. Body movement has been found to be an activator for the motor cortex of a child and is utilized to:
- Enhanced Concentration and Attention: Physical fitness enhances concentration and attention in children, which becomes helpful in school and the world at large.
- Decreased Problem-Solving Capacity: Board games, jigsaw puzzles, and sporting activities demand the usage of the logical mind, hence decision-making and problem-solving capacity.
- Language Development: Active play is peer-to-peer and caregiver-to-peer and promotes language development through co-play, stories, and verbal conversation.
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Physical Activity and Children’s Emotional Growth
Physical activity and movement can pay astounding emotional dividends for a child.
- Reduces Stress: Exercise reduces stress, makes a child settle down and relax, and serves as an outlet for the child to release feelings.
- Positive Moods: Exercise results in the release of endorphins, the “happiness pills” of the body, and contributes to positive moods and wellness.
- Developing Resilience: While children become exercised, e.g., learning to ride a bike or a new sport, resilience and failure coping are established.
Long-Term Consequences of Movement on Life-Time Health
Exercise benefits don’t only relate to children. Regular movement brings about lifelong health habits and:
- Less Probability of Chronic Disease: Properly nourished children will be the most likely ones to form positive adult habits and not be diabetic, have heart disease, or be obese.
- Healthier Mental State: Enhanced lifetime mental well-being has been associated with a lifetime of exercise, limiting the risk for depression and anxiety.
- Team Work and Social Integration: Team activities and sports facilitate teamwork and belonging that will last well beyond the sporting competition.
Conclusion
Physical exercise is not a choice for having a healthy lifestyle; physical exercise is a natural part of children’s growth and development. Being active as a child is equal to being physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially mature growing up. Parents, providers, and teachers can do nothing but take good care and encourage physical activity by modeling and putting exercise into the fun, daily routine of daily life.
As children’s brain and physical health grow and develop with their age, habits like physical activity and good learning will impact their overall well-being for years to come. By nurturing a love for movement, at Milestone PRC, we help in building a foundation for a healthy, active, and fulfilling life.
Do you want to know more about how physical activity helps in child development? Visit today at Jaipur’s Milestone PRC and get to interact with professional advisors, pick up useful tips, and get personalized solutions for the all-round development of your child’s life and health.
