Exercise is essential for healthy children, but in today’s busy society, it is challenging to find the time. However, the benefits of a foundational appreciation and habit of regular exercise can last a lifetime, and the best time to start is early. Below are a few of the reasons why you should ensure that your kids develop a healthy relationship with fitness.

Why Young Children Should Learn to Exercise

1. Stay Healthy

Regular exercise is an essential part of developing muscle strength, cultivating strong hearts and lungs, and balancing body weight and fat distribution. These benefits happen quickly and help build stamina and combat obesity, especially when they have a healthy diet.

In addition to immediate improvements to their overall health, developing an active lifestyle at a young age will help pave the way for better health later in life. For example, regulating their diet and exercise can help prevent Type- 2 diabetes. This is a condition that affects the body’s ability to metabolize sugar and either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. 

2. Improve Social Skills

Increased activity promotes better interaction with their peers by fostering a sense of competition and teamwork. This requires and supports excellent social skills, as your children must communicate with their teammates and opponents. Socially active kids also develop leadership and empathy skills that are essential to communication and personal responsibility. This leads to healthier relationships and a sense of personal responsibility.

3. Boost Cognition

Physical exertion releases endorphins in the brain. These “feel good” hormones improve your child’s ability to focus and express their thoughts positively. This can lead to better performance in school and reduced behavioral issues. Another brain chemistry change includes an increase in serotonin, which reduces anxiety and counters feelings of depression. 

4. Enhance Self-Esteem

As kids develop better physical health, social skills, and feelings of happiness, their confidence and self-esteem naturally improve. When a child can succeed in one area, they are more likely to try harder in an area where they struggle. By staying physically active and working to improve their skills, this can quickly translate to the classroom and subjects that they find difficult.

If you are looking for an organized, reliable outlet for promoting a lifestyle of exercise to your kids, consider a tennis club membership at Beavercreek Clay Courts Tennis Club in Beavercreek, OH. They offer pickleball and tennis lessons, clinics, leagues, and social events for their members. Call (937) 956-8864 to ask about junior leagues. Visit their website for information about membership rates and programs.