Kids and sport: Ways to keep them active!
Fun activities are available across the region With the school holidays almost halfway through, looking for activities that will burn off lots of energy is certain to be high on most parents’to-do lists.
You may be motivated simply by a desire to keep them occupied but did you know that building a love of sport from a young age is a great way to ensure your child grows up healthy, active and confident.
It is universally accepted that physical activity helps to develop so much more than a big appetite and extra washing.
And with a little gentle encouragement even the most avid computer gamer will love the freedom and enjoyment of physical activity.
By fitting in just 60 minutes a day, you can help your child strengthen their muscles, keep a healthy weight and beat the stresses that come from being a kid or teenager in today’s high-tech world.
Live Active Leisure, the independent leisure trust in Perth and Kinross, actively encourage all children to move more.
They provide fun, safe environments for children to join in organised activities and are also keen to remind parents that simple, active play is always a good thing.
Activities which involve movements of all the major muscle groups such as swinging from a climbing frame or riding a bike, and those which get your kids a little out of breath like running, chasing games or skipping to shops, all count towards that magic number of minutes.
If you prefer a little more structure you will find many opportunities across Perth and Kinross.
From fun, drop-in sessions for pre-schoolers through to teenage only gym sessions, you will find a huge variety of classes and organised clubs run by professional organisations such as Live Active Leisure, via local community groups or other parents.
Like adults, exercise will keep your child’s heart strong, their weight healthy and their mental wellbeing intact and as an added bonus you will also find these key additional benefits:
GIVE THEM A CONFIDENCE BOOST: Sports and physical activity develops children’s self-esteem giving them the confidence to make friends, build leadership skills and develop empathy.
HELP THEM BECOME SMART: Simple biology tells us that the boost in oxygen levels brought about by exercise helps the brain work better. Because of this, active children have improved memory and better concentration levels both in school and out of it.
KEEPTHEMWELL: Active children have a stronger immune system and better all-round health. Keeping fit and healthy helps the body’s ability to fight off unwanted bugs making sporty kids less prone to colds, allergies and diseases.
PROMOTE HEALTHY RESTING: One of the main benefits of exercise kicks in when they head to bed; as with adults, children who keep active will enjoy a better quality of sleep. And let’s face it, when their sleep is improved, so is yours!