Physical Exercise: An Essential Practice for Children

Daily physical activity is the key to a long healthy life. Regular exercise helps in the prevention of fatness, which is one of the important factors responsible for a number of severe diseases. Exercise helps in reducing the risk of diabetes, blood pressure and heart diseases. Research has shown that people engaging in a daily physical activity live longer than those who do not exercise at all. Exercise is found to increase overall strength of the body. Rigorous exercise brings about an increase in stamina of the body. Every person should try to remain fit and healthy through their life. Fitness has a lot to do with physical exercise. And the practice of doing physical exercise cannot be taught in a day or two. The orientation to physical exercise and fitness must begin right from the early ages.

Exercise for children means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise in various places throughout the day; when they have physical exercise class at school, practice football, and even when they are in the play ground playing with their friends. It has often been said, children learn through movement. In addition to the health benefits of physical activity, movement is an integral part of the young child's life and education, for it is through movement that children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. For young children, movement is a critical means of communication, expression, and learning. It is imperative that classroom teachers give children as many opportunities as possible to be physically active and to learn through movement. One popular technique used to integrate subject areas and include physical activity is the Thematic Approach. In this approach, teachers overlap the content across the curriculum over a set period of time, while focusing on one theme such as the winter games.

In the absence of the time or possibility for frequent family time on a holiday, children should be encouraged and run errands, use the stairs and play outdoors more often. We could also invest in a good pedometer or initiate an after-dinner stroll in the neighborhood as a family ritual. Encourage children to play and be active every day to nurture a life-long love of physical activity. From 6 months to 6 years, children need to learn basic skills that will provide a foundation for sport, dance and exercise later in life. Communities are encouraged to develop and support programs that promote physical activities for children, including after-school programs, youth sports leagues and recreation centers. Health and medical professions should join with educators and parents to give children a unified, clear message that physical activity is essential for health.
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