Exercise is good for you no matter how old you are. It helps children function better in school and it helps boost brain power. Most kids went back to school this week, so now many homes have turned into classrooms. Working on the computer can be a challenge both for the kids and the parents. It’s important to set aside time during or after the school day to keep the kids active since they are likely sitting most of the day. At a minimum children should be getting 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Benefits of Exercise for Youth
- Working out as a child can strengthen muscles and increase cardiovascular health – most exercises should be aerobic in nature.
- Regular exercise can help increase bone health
- A fitness routine can help lower body fat and reduce diseases.
Exercise Type By Age Group
- Pre-School to Early Elementary age: balance, sport skills, learning with movement (ex. Simon Says), motor skills.
- Elementary Age: sport skills, running, jumping, yoga.
- Middle School and High School Age: playing sports, riding bikes, walking, running, yoga, creating intrinsic motivation.
Fitness Activities You Can Do At Home:
Wake-Up Exercises: Stretching or Yoga
1. Cat Cow
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2. Forward Fold
Activity Break: Partner Push-ups, Crunches, Planks, Jumping Jacks, and Squats
1. Partner Push-ups:
2. Parent and Child Squats:
Afternoon Shake Out Exercises: Star Jumps, Mt Climbers, Dancing, Walk around Neighborhood, Sports, and Jumping Rope
1. Star Jumps:
2. Mountain Climbers
