While it’s never too late to start working out, there are many reasons why exercise should begin during childhood. Here are some of the benefits your child can experience with regular exercise, whether it’s from dance class or running around the backyard. Every perk results in a happier, healthier child.

4 Reasons to Encourage Daily Exercise for Children

1. Bone & Muscle Health

Weight-bearing exercises such as jumping rope, lifting assorted objects, and pivoting and balancing in dance class build and maintain strong muscles and bones. Your child’s flexibility increases while their risk of injury decreases. Strong bones also reduce your young one’s risk of osteoporosis and related conditions later in life and help maintain balance and coordination.

2. Stress Management

Daily physical activity floods your child’s brain with serotonin and other brain chemicals that boost mood and reduce stress in as little as five minutes. Exercise helps your child develop healthy ways to manage and subsequently minimize anxiety. Most children experience increased confidence as they develop new skill sets and become stronger. This results in a reduction of stress associated with low self-esteem.

3. Cardiovascular Health

As in other forms of regular exercise, children who attend a dance class greatly improve their cardiovascular health. Working the heart and blood vessels reduces your child’s risk of high blood pressure that can carry over into adulthood and increase the chances of stroke and heart attack. It lowers bad cholesterol while improving good cholesterol and insulin sensitivity. Cardiovascular exercise also controls weight to help kids grow up healthy and confident.

4. Focus & Concentration

If your child exercises regularly, you may notice positive results on the academic front. Studies show children who enjoy routine physical activity are better able to focus and concentrate because their brains get treated to additional endorphins. You may notice improved listening skills as well. Dance is an especially good form of exercise because mastering the steps and routines, as well as working in a group, require children to pay attention and ignore distractions.

Get your child used to exercise from a young age with toddler dance classes at The St. Laurent School of Dance in Honolulu, HI. The dance academy operates year-round and nurtures young students in a supportive, positive environment. Call (808) 845-1291 today to sign your child up or visit the school online for more information about dance classes for all ages. Follow the studio on Facebook and Instagram.