As parents, the word recreation goes hand in hand with exercise and when we think about exercises what creeps into our mind are workouts in the gym like running on a treadmill or lifting weights, some even start imagining some tedious cross fit activities.
Well, for kids it is different. Exercise simply means playing and just being physically active. Whether is a dance class, riding bikes or playing tag, it’s all exercise for your little one, and in this article, I will be walking you through how imperative these recreations are for the overall health of your kids.
Physical Activities
The next time you visit a playground, I want you to observe the activities they engage in critically, you’ll discover that these activities have some element of fitness in them. Although the playground is a place where children virtually forget about everything and just relish every moment in the seventh heaven, it gives them the opportunity to engage in recreational activities.
While having fun, children tend to develop several different skills. Movements such as swinging, climbing, crawling, sliding, pulling, jumping and balancing help in enhancing the motor skills of kids while they also develop social skills in the process.
Here are the 5 top recreational activities that a parent should encourage their kids to engage in.
- Soccer
- Dance
- Karate
- Basketball
- Swimming
Basically, all type of aerobic exercises can be both fun and healthy for our kids, but those listed above are highly recommended to facilitate endurance, strength, and flexibility in them. Other activities like bicycling, running, ice skating, or even walking can also be very effective in strengthening the heart, stamina and overall health of our kids.
But the benefits of these recreational activities is not limited to that.
Kids who are physically active experience the following:
- They have a leaner and more flexible body
- Tend to have a better outlook on life
- Sleep better
- They have lower blood pressure and cholesterol level
- Healthy heart
- Overcome childhood obesity
- Highly sociable as a result of social interactions on the playground or in the class and as they play together
- They develop a higher level of self-esteem and self-worth
- Stimulate brain growth and boost cognitive performance
- Develop leadership abilities and team spirit.
Overall these recreational activities ease pressure on the health system of your kids and even goes a long way in making them succeed in other endeavors while meeting new people, developing friendship, and having fun.
So, does your child’s daily schedule encourage these activities? Or is your kid stuck in a rut that leaves little or no time for physical fitness and exercise?
Well, you now have an idea of the enormous list of benefits these recreational activities holds for your little one. And even if you want them to succeed in school, this activity can play a role in that as it helps boost their cognitive performance. Helping them focus which in turn make it easier for them to learn effectively.
Alright, that’s it! I hope this piece has been able to enlighten you about the benefits of recreational activities for your kids? Do well to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.