Children need to move and they need to be physical – and they need to do these things on a regular basis, as it is critical to their overall health. After all, movement and exercise is how we grow strong, reducing the chances of becoming obese and growing our muscles and, overall, keeping us well. But regular physical activity is also important from the perspective of brain development as well, particularly in the first six or so years of life.
It is during this period of time, a great deal of brain development happens, particularly when it comes to the development of fine and gross motor skills. These fine and gross motor skills must be developed before the time a child reaches their sixth birthday. If this does not happen, it is all too likely that their fine and gross motor skills will never end up being fully developed. Fortunately, regular movement, such as in outdoor play and more structured places like in gymnastics classes for kids, this development that is so essential can easily take place.
Unfortunately, far too few kids are getting up and moving in today’s day and age, largely thanks to the widespread usage and availability of electronics. In fact, only around one third of all children are moving enough on a daily basis, and the average child now uses screens for as many as seven and a half hours out of the day. From tablets to computers to phones to TV screens, most children are not getting the recommended hour a day of physical activity.
Not only can this lead to a lack of development of fine and gross motor skills, but it can also lead to a growth of size in children all throughout the country. Obesity is a skyrocketing problem here in the United States, and the population of children throughout it are not immune. Unfortunately, obesity and a lack of activity early on in life can lead to a number of health problems later on.
Fortunately, there are steps that parents can take to avoid such problems from ever developing. Getting their children involved in sports is one such step to take. For instance, gymnastics classes for kids are quite popular, and various types of gymnastics classes for kids can be found truly all throughout the country. Local gymnastics classes for kids are likely to be found in your area, and these local gymnastics classes for kids are likely to be relatively affordable as well.
If you’re interested in gymnastics for kids, from gymnastics for boys to gymnastics for girls, you should talk to a local gymnastics gym. It is likely that there will be gymnastics classes for kids of all ages, even for the youngest of toddlers who are just beginning to understand the world around them – and their own bodies too, of course. In fact, gymnastics for children falling between the still quite young ages of two and five can be hugely beneficial, as such classes will likely incorporate the skills of tumbling, running, and even throwing and catching, all of which are recommended to be practiced and developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
However, not all gymnastics classes for kids will be geared for young children falling between the ages of two and five. And while gymnastics classes for kids can be developmentally appropriate and even beneficial for this age group of children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that the classes be chosen strategically. A child is only likely to thrive in gymnastics classes for kids that meet their needs and developmental level, though gymnastics for beginners will likely be offered for all ages.
At the end of the day, gymnastics classes for kids are more beneficial than just for the physical aspect of things. Gymnastics classes for kids can help kids to form social connections with one another, and can help them to build up their confidence both socially as well as physically. At the end of the day, letting your kids try out new things like gymnastics classes geared for kids is a great thing to do for them.
