Being active is important for children. It helps them grow up strong and healthy. But did you know that it also benefits children’s mental health?
Physical activity:
- helps children manage worries and negative thoughts
- helps children cope with stress
- helps children sleep better, and in turn they feel more energised during the day
- builds self esteem and a sense of control
- provides a sense of accomplishment
- connects children with others
- distracts them from worrying thoughts
- releases a feel-good chemical in the brain.
Getting active at a young age will help children build positive routines. Here are some way to support you and your children to be active:
- Start small - getting outside every day is a great start, no matter the weather. Climb a tree, blow some bubbles or play in the backyard.
- Make it part of your family routine - put regular time aside to be active as a family. This helps to make physical activity part of your day. Parents can be great role models!
- Choose an activity that you and your children enjoy doing, it has to be fun for your family to want to do it more often.
- Involve other people - the more the merrier, for example, have a play date at a park with another family.
- Give children time and space for free play - sports (and training) are great ways to be active. But it is also good for children to have time to play without structure or competitive pressure.