Exercise and Children

There is a lot to benefit from exercising. From being physically fit it also helps control blood pressure, cholesterol, decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and helps kids have a better outlook on life itself. Studies have proven that kids who are physically fit sleep better at night and are able to handle challenges in life, both physical and emotional. It even helps them test better. Right now with my excited two year old my favorite has to be the sleeping better. If I get Thomas out and about during the day he will sleep through the night no problem.

There are three elements of fitness:

Endurance
Strength
Flexibility

Endurance is when the heart beats faster and you breathe harder. This is developed through aerobic exercises – like playing tag or hoola hooping. When done regularly it helps strengthen the heart and approve the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to all its cells. Strength training of course strengthens muscles and tones the body. A lot of muscles are easier to develop during childhood then they are during adulthood, such as the fine motor skills. Flexibility is developed when kids so much as stretch to get a toy just out of reach. And in my personal experience it really helps your body relax.

Toddler       à 1 ½ hours minimum daily activity à 30 minutes planned daily physical activity AND 60     minutes unstructured physical activity (free play)

Preschooler   à 2 hours minimum daily activity à 60 minutes planned daily activity AND 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play)

School Age à 1 hour or more minimum daily activity à Broken up into bouts of 15 minutes or more

 

According to this chart of activity from the National Association for sport and physical education (NASPE)… I over exercise my child. I’ve never had a “structured” amount of exercise; I just play games like tag and follow the leader, or chase our birds around the yard. But maybe going for a walk would classify as structured activity for him. We go for a walk on a regular basis, especially when he just can’t get calmed down and we are nearing bedtime.