May 2023

Spring into Action: Why Movement is Essential for Young Children"

As the weather warms up and we move into the month of May, it's a great time for families to start thinking about movement. Movement is critical for the development of young children, and it's important to encourage them to get up and get active on a daily basis. In this blog, we'll explore why movement is so important and provide some tips for parents on how to encourage their children to move more.

Why Movement is Important for Young Children

Movement is critical for the development of young children, both physically and mentally. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Physical Development: Movement helps children develop strong bones, muscles, and

coordination. It also helps them maintain a healthy weight and prevents them from developing health problems later in life.

• Brain Development: Movement helps children develop their brain in a number of ways, including improving their cognitive function, attention, and memory.

• Emotional Development: Movement helps children develop their emotional regulation

skills, which are important for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotions.

• Social Development: Movement helps children develop their social skills, including communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.

Tips for Encouraging Movement in Young Children

Now that we've established why movement is so important for young children, let's talk about some ways parents can encourage their children to move more. Here are a few tips:

• Make it Fun: Children are more likely to engage in movement activities if they're fun and enjoyable. So, try to find activities that your child enjoys, such as playing games, dancing, or jumping on a trampoline.

• Incorporate Movement into Everyday Activities: You don't need to set aside time for structured exercise. Instead, try to incorporate movement into everyday activities, such as taking a walk, playing in the park, or doing household chores together.

• Limit Screen Time: Too much screen time can be harmful to young children's development and can discourage them from being active. So, try to limit your child's screen time and encourage them to engage in movement activities instead.

• Set a Good Example: Children often learn by example, so it's important for parents to be active too. Make sure you're setting a good example by engaging in movement activities yourself

Get Outside: Spending time outside is a great way to encourage movement, and it has numerous other benefits as well. So, try to get outside with your child as much as possible, whether it's going for a walk, playing in the park, or going on a nature hike.

Movement is critical for the development of young children, and it's important for parents to encourage their children to move more. By making movement fun, incorporating it into everyday activities, limiting screen time, setting a good example, and getting outside, parents can help their children develop strong bodies and minds. So, as we move into the month of May, let's all commit to getting our children up and moving more!