Physical activity is known to have wide-ranging benefits for our physical health, but what about its impact on behaviour? An increasing amount of research is showing how physical activity can improve children’s behaviour in a number of ways. It has been observed that more active kids tend to be more sociable and play with others. They also tend to develop better social skills and are less likely to act out in negative ways when they feel frustrated or upset.
The good news is that even small changes towards being more active will help with healthy behaviours in children. Here we take a look at some of the ways being physically active improves child behaviour along with tips on how you can support your child’s healthy habits without feeling like you’re pushing them too hard .
Health Benefits
Regular physical activity helps children improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease in later life and type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, studies have also found that being active may reduce the risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Other studies have shown that kids who are physically active are less likely to begin experimenting with drugs or alcohol than their less active peers.
Social Benefits
The benefits of being physically active extend beyond improved physical health and include improved social skills and better emotional health. Increased physical activity has been shown to increase attention span, improve communication and promote emotional regulation, among other benefits. This can lead to fewer social issues and improve social relationships.
Developmental Benefits
Research has shown that being active helps kids grow and develop in a number of positive ways. Specifically, they develop more cognitive skills, including self-awareness, self-control, reasoning, and problem-solving. Additionally, they improve their social skills and are less likely to act out in negative ways when they feel frustrated or upset; they also become better at getting along with others.
Tips for Parents Who Want To Encourage Healthy Behaviour
Getting kids moving is only one part of encouraging healthy habits in children. You also have to address their environment and other factors that impact their behaviour. Therefore, you’ll want to keep in mind the following when encouraging healthy behaviour in your child:
- Make the activity fun. To encourage your child to try new activities or be more enthusiastic about the ones they’re already doing, find ways to make them more interested. For example, try creating new adventures while exploring nature, or exploring a new hobby or sport together.
- Create a positive environment. Kids are more likely to be active if they are surrounded by people and things that excite them. Try to keep your home environment as supportive and calming as possible.
- Find ways to support their healthy habits. Kids are more likely to be active if you help them follow through.Find ways to support their healthy habits, such as offering encouragement or providing rewards.
- Address other factors that may be holding them back. Kids are more likely to be healthy if they are sociable, happy, and well-rested, among other factors. Therefore, address other factors that may be holding them back.
As we’ve seen in this article, physical activity is beneficial for many areas of health, including overall health and development. It is also associated with improved social skills and a reduced risk of anxiety, depression, and drug and alcohol use. However, as we’ve also seen, physical activity can also impact child behaviour in a number of ways. More active kids tend to be more sociable, develop better social skills, and are less likely to act out in negative ways when they feel frustrated or upset.
So, whether you’re looking for something new to do with your child or just trying to get them to break a bad habit, there are plenty of ways to get them moving. In addition to these benefits, you may be surprised to realize that you too are healthier as a result.