Activity from an early age should be encouraged as it benefits a child’s development. It enhances and promotes the development of motor skills, bones and muscles, cognitive and social skills. Physical activity is any movement at this age. Experts say that for children physical activity is better for building confidence, managing anxiety and depression, and increasing self-esteem and cognitive skills. In short we can say that for kids, exercise means playing and being physically active.
Stretching exercises help improve flexibility, allowing muscles and joints to bend and move easily through their full range of motion. Kids get chances every day to stretch when they reach for a toy, practice a split, or do a cartwheel. Young children should not be inactive for long periods of time — no more than 1 hour unless they’re sleeping. And school-age children should not be inactive for periods longer than 2 hours.
Some of exercise benefits for kids are as under:
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Helps develop beneficial body composition
- Improves balance
- Prevents future pain
- Increases bone health
- Develop physical literacy
- Increase immune systems