Regular physical activity builds strong muscles and bones. It helps children to sleep at night. It helps them remain alert during the day. It helps to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. It can even help kids that seem like they have ADHD and don’t.
There was a stretch of time a few years back where every child that showed bad behavior was labeled hyper active or attention-deficit or both. There’s a trick though, did you know kids are sleeping less today than they did twenty years ago? Thirty years ago? Did you know that when kids are overtired, they become surly, unruly and obnoxious? Ever tried to calm down a baby that is so tired, it hates being awake but refuses to be soothed into sleep?
Yep, it all looks a lot like ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a very serious condition. It’s a recognized medical condition and it does affect kids. But there’s lots of kids out there who get the label, who don’t really have it. What they have it a lack of sleep, a lack of exercise and a lack of focus.
A lot of kids don’t get healthy exercise and healthy diets. A lot of kids attend daycares where they spend they do get outdoor time, but it’s usually limited to thirty minutes in the morning and thirty in the afternoon. Kids come home to tired parents and the parents tell them to go watch T.V. or go play in their rooms or just to be quiet.
What kids really need is to jump rope, swing on swings, kick a ball around, go swimming or even just run and play tag as often as their parents need to hit the gym or their own workout programs. Active bodies help promote active minds. Children are constantly growing, they need to maintain their fitness not only to help their growth, but also to promote their education.
Kids that are used to a lot of activity can burn off excess energy, letting them be more focused when they are in a classroom. Kids who get a lot of activity are ready to hit the hay at night and they will sleep better, longer and get up recharged in the morning.
Researchers have even found noticeable improvement in test scores of fit and active children over their more sedentary classmates. Why? Well, for one exercise increases blood flow to the brain and other muscles while reducing anxiety and stress. There’s a greater sense of self and self-esteem along with more motivation. Kids just plain feel better and they feel better about themselves. It’s like a success module, you feel successful so you are successful.
So get your kids out the door, get them playing. Fire up their imaginations and rev up their little engines. You get quality time with your kids and they get healthier bodies and minds. Kids need to play and their parents need to get out there and play too!