How is it that children can run around for days on end and not get tired? They sprint from one end of the field to the other, have a quick rest, and then they’re off again and – quite enviably – never seem to run out of energy. Children’s physical development will improve as they grow if they remain active, which is why sport is important for children. They will become more able to cope with detailed instructions (and therefore complex sports) which also supports their school work.
Children don’t build ‘aerobic fitness’ in the same way as adults. Their physiology means that they perform well naturally, and recover very quickly when compared with their adult counterparts. Their performance can be more likened to that of an endurance athlete. Pretty cool, eh?
If this is their baseline, just think of what they could be capable of with a little guidance, persistence and inspiration!
We’ve listed out a few key stages for age groups that we work with, to put this into context:
Reception age children around 4 years old will be learning to take part in group activities, work together to achieve a shared outcome, or use tools or equipment to complete tasks. It’s about gross motor skills and building control.
From 5 years, children will start to learn patterns and be able to skip, dance and hop. They won’t be able to carry out complex tasks yet, but they will show more control when moving their body, such as in sports and games. By age 6 they will be very active for much of the day.
From age 7, children will be more focussed – their concentration will be much improved, and information processed more easily. This means they’ll be more able to take part in sports where roles and processes are important, such as football or rounders. They’ll also be more imaginative and benefit from role play.
Children aged 9-11 start to develop emotionally and peers will become more important. They’ll want to learn with their friends, and become competitive at times.
The social aspect of sports will be particularly important at this age, and they may benefit from reassurance when things don’t go as well as they’d hope. This builds confidence over time, that prepares them for a more active, sporty adult life.
The UK Government states that children should get around 60 minutes of activity per day. That could include walking, running, dancing, cycling, scooting, skating… and any kind of sports or games activity. Break that down into chunks and it’s pretty easy to hit the mark when you’re an 8 year old with energy to burn. Sports activities for children can be organised or more relaxed, the important thing is to make it fun and regular. Children who are able to maintain more muscle mass as they develop into adults also have a much reduced risk of diabetes.
Where cardio fitness in children is strong naturally and muscle mass is high, the purpose of sport becomes more holistic. This is why sport is so important for children. It’s not just the physical wellbeing that benefits them, but the freedom, the fresh air, the social elements and the joy that can come from learning new skills.
We’re all much more aware of the benefits of sport on our mental health, and we may practice this as adults. But what about children?
According to the RCPCT, 1 in 5 children experience mental health issues now, with prevalence increasing with age. That means it’s really important to find ways to let off steam, shake it out, and reset your mind as a child.
The role of sport in managing mental health is extremely powerful, with more resources going into this area to support our youngsters. According to Sport England, aerobic exercise can be very effective for maintaining mental health in children and young people, and treating depression when necessary.
A child’s brain responds extremely well to physical activity – exercise has been shown to improve attention spans and memory function as well as improve emotional regulation. In real terms, this helps them to focus on tasks for longer, and learn from their own experiences. Quite literally, the grey matter of the brain in children who regularly take part in sports is thicker around the parts of the brain responsible for motor function, and the hippocampus which controls memory and spatial awareness.
Mental Health can be boosted when we’re good at something. That comes with a certain level of ability, practice, natural talent, and opportunity.
Research into children’s wellbeing and the role of sport by Swansea University found that the role of confidence and independence was very important. Taking part in physical activities could improve competence, build confidence, and positively affect wellbeing.
They also found that a variety of sports benefited children’s health, and that traditional sports may not always be enough to truly engage them.
At GO GO Makers this is why we work so hard to introduce children to sports and games such as archery, laser tag, and water gun fights. It’s about keeping them active in a supportive environment, and boosting their mental wellbeing as much as possible in the time we have.
Team sports build a level of complexity into physical education which can be a joy, or a challenge! For some the blending of cognitive and physical development can bring out new skills such as leadership, and enhance teamwork attributes like empathy and compassion.
The importance of sport for children builds as they grow. Children are naturally emotionally driven and operate with high levels of energy, so channelling this into a team sport can help them learn social skills, and in turn build confidence. Some children are great at throwing, some at running, and some at strategy. There’s a place for everyone to shine, and when they work together as a team the results can be truly spectacular!
If you’re worried about your child’s mental health, you’re not alone. Around 45 % parents share concerns, and 70% agree that screen time means children are less active.
Getting together with friends can be a great way to help boost children’s activity. Meet up at the park with a football, or arrange a 5-a-side match every so often to keep the social aspect alive, as well as the physical aspects. Children can be noticeably calmer and sleep better when they’ve had more activity during the day, and while many parents support the idea, they also struggle to implement it.
Sometimes removing those distractions can help. When children attend summer camps such as GO GO Makers, we don’t use screens. And the children don’t miss them! We offer a full range of activities and sports that benefit their emotional wellbeing, support peer relationships and build confidence.
At the end of the day, we can all use a little help. What are your children going to be doing this summer?
If you haven’t already, why not book into one of our fabulous multi-activity camps that support 4 year olds right up to 12 year olds, and help them get the most out of each day.
Children’s physical development is so important that we build it into each and every activity at our camps, to make the best use of every moment. We operate across Warwickshire so you can find a camp to suit you.
Find out more and book your place now!
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