Physical activity is so important for children of all ages.
When you are active with your children it helps develop their bodies, as well as, their minds. It does not only help to develop and strengthen muscles and skeletal development but also gross motor skills (like throwing, catching and kicking a ball) but also more delicate skills (like eye hand co-ordination.
Any kind of skills that your child’s learns and experiences success at will help build self-esteem. Feeling competent at anything you do is positive and motivates you to do more. Playing physical games and outdoor activities are healthy physically as well as emotionally. It is also just another way in which you can connect with you child and spend quality time together while creating memories that will last for a lifetime.
Active Movement and Physical Fitness help your child to:
- Move and develop additional communication tools.
- Feel healthy and happy.
- Feel competent and loved
- Develop intellectually
- Develop socially
Be an Active Role model
Parents and caregivers send messages about movement and learning when they are physically active with children. Being active and playing with children gives adults an opportunity to encourage children and give constant genuine positive reinforcement.
For the most part children aspire to be like their role models so are you sending great message by exercising and participating in sports. Children watch the things that we say and do.
Self-Esteem is Important
Exercise and movement get endorphins’ going which is very conducive to feeling happy. It is also a known fact that people sleep better when they have been outdoors, breathing fresh air and getting exercise. Try and think about how everyone feels after spending time on the beach or at the swimming pool. Children need to be active and they are less likely to get into trouble or engage in naughty behaviour when they are engaged.
The following activities are just some simply ideas;
- Walk on the sand at the beach. This is great for balance, general fitness and strengthening ankles.
- Walk on the side walk and balance on the cracks or on the curb.
- Kick a ball around.
- Walk up hills in the park or mountains.
All of this contributes to your child’s self esteem. The more they repeat and get good at these things the better they will feel about themselves. The success that children feel as they learn to master a new skills all contribute to holistic health.
If your child is doing something that might be dangerous, express your concern and ask them if they have an idea as to how this activity can be done safely. This is the perfect opportunity to make some positive suggestions and help your child reach a positive conclusion. It is not enough to tell your child “well done” be more specific. Try saying something like “I really think that you did a great job kicking the ball all the way back to me.” This is genuine acknowledgement.
Focus on the improvement and the things that your child does well and do not stress or even point out what they are not doing well. Remember to mind your facial expressions and body language. Body language is very apparent to children and they know when you are truly enthusiastic. Thumbs up and a smile followed by a hug mean so much. You can share the experience and talk about how fun it was. Affection is so important to every child and their sense of well being.
