Kids need time every day to run, jump, stretch and play. These experiences have been shown to build children’s confidence and pleasure in physical activities, develop their motor skills, and even improve emotional well-being.

To begin with, children seem to have a natural desire to overcome challenges and take risks. Taking healthy risks through physical movement builds children’s confidence and ability to solve problems and persist through frustration. Secondly, movement activities build children’s big body skills such as coordination and balance, as well as the fine motor skills they need for tasks like writing, tying their shoes, or throwing and catching a ball. Thirdly, according to the American Psychological Association, regular physical activity (and especially outdoor activity) reduces children’s stress and depression, and improves their ability to focus and learn. Regular exercise can significantly improve self-regulation and decrease disciplinary consequences for negative behavior. Physical activity provides a positive outlet for frustration, anxiety, or anger and can become a healthy coping skill throughout life. Finally, we know that physical activity is important for our physical and mental health, and cultivating the habit of physical activity starts early. Children are more likely to develop a lifelong love of physical activity from frequent positive early experiences. Not every child enjoys competitive sports or playing with balls and that’s OK. There are plenty of other options such as imaginative play, non-competitive games, and gardening or nature experiences.