By Michelle Christlieb, M.S., C.S.C.S.

Studies have shown that children who are involved in regular physical activity are healthier and stronger, sleep better, and grow up to be fit adults. And, music to their parents‘ ears, these children also tend to perform better in school!

Physical activity can help foster self-respect and respect for others. The gymnasiums and playgrounds of our schools provide a rich environment for the development of personal and social responsibility. The physical activity setting provides a mini-world of emotional, interactive situations. Within this world of competition and cooperation, success and failure, children learn to make a multitude of decisions on a daily basis and can learn to be accepted and to accept others. Studies have found physical activity to be an effective technique for improving communication and rapport between children. It was observed during activity that children felt more free to discuss their concerns and relationships as well as their aspirations and goals with one another. Lessons and skills easily adapted to the classroom.

The foundation of a child‘s emotional health is self-esteem — how worthy and valuable the child considers himself or herself. Physical fitness and learning sports skills have been shown to greatly improve self-concept. It is believed that the immediate feedback one gets from meeting fitness and athletic goals, and the feeling of body mastery as one successfully meets the demands of fitness activities, may account for this improvement. These goal-setting and mastery experiences can encourage children to seek similar challenges and experiences in the classroom. Children with a strong sense of self worth and importance are then free to develop their potential, better able to resolve personal and interpersonal conflicts, and free to establish their independence and self-expression.

All of these effects of physical activity on life skills are especially reinforced when children perceive the activity as fun; it occurs in a positive group experience; and it is reinforced by leaders, peers and parents. Children must experience physical activity before they can appreciate how it can positively alter their moods and self-concepts. Children‘s identities may be enhanced as they realize that they can control and change their lives, and identity may be further enhanced as they become fit and trim. Encourage your children to get active today!

For additional information please contact NIFS at 317.274.3432.