Dr. M David Kurland shares a presentation discussing the reasons why exercise is important in childhood development.

1. The Importance of
Exercise In Childhood
Development

2. Odds are if you’re feeling down,
you probably won’t want to get
out of bed, let alone put on your
exercise clothes, take a run
around the block. Succumbing
to the feeling of wanting to do
nothing will not help your case,

3. Whether you’re feeling unwell
already, or, say, if you feel
normal but your days are
packed with endless activities
and no downtime, staying put
will not contribute to your
feeling of wellbeing.

4. Engaging in any kind of
physical exercise, however, can
lift you out of those moods and
allow you to look beyond it, or
simply help you ensure that
those moments are less likely to
come on.

5. So, will taking your dog for a
walk or jogging to your local
market solve depression for
you? Odds are, no… but
engaging in a regular exercise
routine can certainly help you
work through difficult feelings.

6. Studies show that people who
engage in regular exercise
enjoy a boost in mood and
higher self esteem, versus those
who do not.

7. The same holds true for
children and young adults. Self
Esteem is an essential element
in the healthy development of
children and adolescents.

8. Self Esteem allows children to
grow and gives them the
confidence to try, and to
continue trying, unbeaten,
when they fail. Trial “and
error” is an essential part of
growing.

9. Without the confidence or self
esteem to try, children won’t
give themselves the same
opportunities to grow.

10. Along those same lines, playing
sports is one of the perfect
opportunities for children and
adolescents to learn these
values, and to learn to try and
learn to fail in a certain safe
environment.

11. On the one hand, children will
get the benefits of exercise: self
esteem, a feeling of
motivation…

12. One of the main benefits of
exercise is that it produces
endorphins in the brain, which
lead to a feeling of wellbeing.

13. This can help self confidence
and self esteem, and generally,
just contribute to a healthy
lifestyle which can promote
positive childhood
development.

14. A balance of sports and exercise
in a child or adolescent’s life
can help them handle the
changes coming on at those
times.

15. Endorphins have a stress
relieving effect and help stave
away feelings of depression or
anxiety.

16. Being able to constantly try,
fail, and learn to work with a
team will be a defining factor in
any childhood development.

17. For more information visit,
drmdavidkurland.net