Why Sports & Physical Activity Are Important For Kids

Growing up as a kid in the 1980's my mom would routinely send us outside to play when we were crawling the walls.  Some of my best memories as both a child and an adult involve me coming home dirty, exhausted, and happy after challenging my body to a physical task.  This truly is about the satisfaction of joyful movement. 

According to a CBS News report "Kids and teens age 8 to 18 spend an average of more than seven hours a day looking at screens."  Health experts agree that too much screen time for anyone is detrimental to our health.  Perhaps a little more focus on sports and physical activity can help combat some of these bad habits.

Image Courtesy of True North Sports Camps

*This is a sponsored blog post; however, all opinions and commentary are my own.

**This blog post was sponsored by True North Sports Camps, offering sports programs for kids aged 4-14 in Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, and Markham. Camps include multi-sport and single sport-oriented camps all summer long.

So, why you should introduce your kids to sports and physical activity at a young age?

Their Health Depends On It

The bottom line is that children need to be active every day to remain healthy and grow.  It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes each day of energetic play.  It will give them stronger muscles, joints, bones, and a healthier heart.

It Helps Them Deal With Stress

Exercise can help rid you of negative emotions thanks to endorphins, whether you're six or sixty.  It also teaches healthy coping mechanisms for someone facing stressful situations from a young age.

It Lets Them Figure Out What They Like (Or Even Love)

It takes time and effort to figure out which physical activities you like best.  Some people prefer team sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, or hockey, whereas others enjoy solitary ones like hiking, swimming, biking, dancing or gymnastics.  The sooner you introduce your child to a variety of options, the sooner they'll figure out which activities they love.  Let them have a say in which activities you sign them up for based on what they enjoy the most.  

Image Courtesy of True North Sports Camps

It Encourages Them To Build Good Habits Early

Children who establish good physical activities at a young age are more likely to carry them into adulthood.  Use this as an example for yourself as well.  Kids respond well when parents lead by example, so consider adding activities you can do together to your calendar.  This could be anything from a walk after dinner, a yoga DVD, to a weekly family bike ride.

It Teaches Them Calculated Risk Taking

Having children practice positive or calculated risk taking through physical activities involving sports and nature will improve their confidence and decision-making processes. 

It Gives Them Important Life Skills

Skills derived from sports can be transferred to other areas of your life.  Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D., a clinical child psychologist, told Parents Magazine, "Loving a sport will teach children vital life skills - discipline, motivation, commitment, and cooperation."

Image Courtesy of True North Sports

It Increases Their Social Interaction

As a kid, friendships at school change all the time.  Having other friendship outlets through sports and physical activity is healthy.  It will also give your children other outlets and people to hang out with should they go through a rough time with their classmates. 

It Improves Self-Esteem

Many studies support that sports and the work towards mastering a new activity can increase self-esteem and confidence. Activities like sports are said to, when introduced in positive and safe environments, allow children to view themselves and their potential in new and exciting ways.   

So, what are you waiting for!  Why not use the good weather as an opportunity for you and your family to explore different sports and physical activities?

Take A Breath - Raffi, Stress and Self-Regulation

A couple of weeks ago one of our babysitters, and friend AW, sent me a link to a new Raffi song, Take A Breath, that she thought might be helpful for Jack when he gets stressed out, frustrated and acts out because he has trouble finding his words.  I listened to the song, long after the children had gone to bed, let Chris take a listen and didn't give it much further thought. Save for Christmas time, and a few select other songs we don't play a lot of kid music in our house, even though our kids (specifically Jack) are big fans of music.  From my adult perspective the Raffi song seemed a little boring and slow to me, so I put it on a shelf.

Image courtesy of The MEHRIT Centre

Fast forward to Wednesday night.  I had a kid pick-up sent directly from the bowels of hell.  Since it's been nice outside the kids have been playing outside after school and I'm able to grab them all rosy cheeked from a big yard where they run around and have a blast.  When I arrived, Jack was determined to get to me first, but Molly was closer.  When Molly jumped into my arms, her brother crumpled into the ground and began screaming and crying hysterically.  I sent Molly off to find both of their backpacks and I picked up Jackie Bear to try and calm him down.  By the time I had stopped him from crying, and explained to him that Molly had gotten to me faster because she was closer to me when I arrived, Molly arrived with the backpacks.  No longer crying he asked me if he could talk to Molly.  I lowered him to Molly and he proceeded to pinch her arm as hard as he could and yelled, "NEXT TIME I'M FIRST!" at the top of his lungs.

I then had two hysterical children.  I set him down, scolded him for hurting his sister and scooped Molly up as we walked to the car. Suddenly Jack ran ahead, got to the car and started punching and pounding on the door both furiously and desperately as he wailed at the top of his lungs.  Silently and as calmly as I could, face red with anger and embarrassment, I got both of the kids into the car.  I told Jack I would talk to him about this when we got home, and refused to engage or provide negative attention for the entire trip to pick up dad from the subway and all the way home.  It was a challenging trip for both of us, I assure you.

When we got home I put Jack in the time out chair, where he sat calmly and quietly.  When time out was over we talked about his frustration and about other ways he can cope when he's upset and feels out of control.  He started crying and told me that when he's naughty it makes him miserable.  We cuddled, I calmed him down, and then I played Raffi's Take A Breath for him.  About half way through the song he asked if the song was about him.  I told him yes, that it was for him and about him.  He listened to the rest of it and happily followed Raffi's instructions.  We moved on from the pick-up debacle and went on with the rest of our evening without incident.  On Thursday at pick-up when Jack got frustrated at me because I opened the car door instead of letting him do it, I asked him if he could try to calm down.  Slowly and deliberately he took a deep breath, just like Raffi's instructions.  Later that afternoon he asked if he could listen to the song again, and we did.

Apparently a 42 year career in children's music has served Raffi and Jack well.  I'm sorry for ever doubting your Raffi.  Thanks for the find AW, it has helped immensely!

To check out the song yourself click here, and give it a listen...The impact on Jack was immediate and amazing.


To read 6 Tips to help you and your child deal with anger, rage & tantrums click here.

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