Why exercise is so important for children

Children have a strong natural need to exercise. This urge to move isn’t a “surplus” of energy, but a key part of their development. Through exercise, children learn about their environment, get to know their bodies and gain important experiences for their health, learning and social conduct.

By extension, exercise is much more than just a leisure activity: it lays the foundations for a healthy life.

Physical development

An active lifestyle fortifies the immune system and helps build stable bones. Regular exercise also strengthens your muscles and improves the performance of your cardiovascular system. Exercise assists children with honing their motor skills, coordination and body awareness, giving them a greater sense of security day to day.

In addition, physical activity helps children stay at a healthy body weight and can aid in reducing the risk of issues such as becoming overweight or developing type 2 diabetes in childhood.

Emotional and social development

Physical activity helps children to better regulate their feelings and develop a stable self-image. Exercise strengthens their trust in their own abilities and promotes social skills. By playing or exercising together, children learn rules, respect, how to share and how to manage conflict.

Dealing with successes and failures is also part and parcel of this – an aspect that often greatly supports children’s growth.

Mental health

Regular exercise also has a positive effect on mental well-being. It can help reduce stress, relieve tension and promote positive emotions. Children who exercise regularly often find that they are more balanced and resilient in their day-to-day lives.

Brain development

Exercise supports brain development by improving blood circulation and encouraging the networking of nerve cells. Physical activity promotes concentration and learning, amongst other benefits.

The Swiss Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) and the WHO recommend an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise per day for children and young people aged five and over. Toddlers and pre-school aged children need to be physically active for at least three hours a day. They should take frequent breaks during long sedentary periods.

You DON’T need to go to any great lengths to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Often, small changes are enough: walk or cycle to your destination, go to the playground together or incorporate short, playful breaks for exercise. A relaxed, unpressured atmosphere where the child can go at their own pace is crucial.

Parents shape their children’s exercise habits

Children are much more active when their parents are too. The impact of having a role model resonates for years and is one of the strongest factors in a lasting, positive relationship with exercise. Shared experiences often have a stronger impact than any PE class.

How can a child find the right activity?

By trying things out. Whether climbing, cycling, dancing, ball games or skating, it usually doesn’t take long for children to show what makes them happy. Exercise is sustainable when a child continues to engage with it voluntarily and displays curiosity.

If children do not exercise enough on a sustained basis, this lack of exercise can hinder their physical and mental development and increase their risk of becoming overweight and suffering other health problems.

The results of the SOPHYA study show how important early, positive experiences of exercise are. Children tend to stay active in the long term if exercise is linked to joy, a sense of achievement, community and a supportive environment.

It’s not perfection that counts, but the enjoyment of exercise: if children experience the benefits of exercise at an early age, this often stays with them into adulthood.