Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
10 Aerobics Exercises & Benefits for Kids
Children are like clay that is waiting to be molded into its best possible shape and form. They are flexible in thought while their bodies are still growing and are open to changes. Physical exercise and its importance cannot be overrated. It is vital for everyone, irrespective of their age and gender. In fact, the more physical activity a child has, the better he/she performs in other aspects of life as well.
In a digital age like ours, it is not common to see children indulging in physical activity as much as they indulge in mentally stimulating activities. This makes it important to encourage them to be active and keep their bodies healthy, the natural way.
Video: Top 7 Aerobics Exercises for Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaC7IWN5CLA
What is Aerobics
In general, the word “aerobic” refers to free oxygen in the air. This means that aerobic exercises are cardio exercises which improve the heart rate and make respiratory functions perform better in the body. Aerobic exercise can be adapted to various forms and benefits one’s body in many ways.
Different Aerobic Exercises For Children
There are numerous ways that children can take up aerobic exercising. Let's look at a few of these:
1. Running
This is probably the most common form of exercise for a child. This is because they run around a lot anyway. Running has a lot of benefits such as increased lung capacity and strong leg muscles.
2. Swimming
It is believed that babies as young as 6 months old can be put in water and they will automatically start paddling and float as well This happens because the prefrontal cortex in children is not as developed as adults, making their minds more flexible and open to new movements and skills. So, as a child, learning to swim is a much easier and quicker process. Swimming is a brilliant aerobic exercise that works on the whole body, makes all four limbs stronger, and increases lung capacity.
3. Sports
There is a wide variety of sports that children can choose from such as football, basketball, hockey, skating and so on. In fact, studies have shown that children who play at least one sport fall sick less frequently because of a boosted immune system. They also perform better academically because their brains receive continuous blood circulation. They tend to have pleasing personalities as playing sports involves team-work and coordination making them learn to coexist with others.
4. Cycling
Cycling is not only an aerobic exercise but also could be considered a basic life skill as it greatly improves body balance and helps in the future with learning how to ride or drive a motor vehicle. Cycling works on improving body balance and strengthens the muscles. In fact, outdoor cycling is a fun activity and should be encouraged not only in children but in adults too. The leg muscles are conditioned and the lungs have the capacity to intake more oxygen.
5. Dancing
Getting children enrolled in aerobic dance for kids isn't always easy if they don't like dancing themselves, but it does have a lot of advantages such as better flexibility, improved motor skills, and better-developed limb strength. They can learn a dance that incorporates aerobic steps for children. Irrespective of the dance form, dancing itself is a very effective exercise that tones the body and improves fluidity of movement in the limbs. It is also believed that children who dance and listen to music regularly have calmer minds and are more emotionally developed due to the release of serotonin in the body.
6. Martial Arts
A lot of parents like to enroll their children in martial arts classes because it teaches them important skills like self-defense and discipline. Martial arts have many different forms like karate, jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts and so on. These martial art forms are great for keeping them physically strong through intense conditioning of the body. The energy and discipline that goes into this art form helps them with being mentally prepared for a situation where self-defense may be required. Martial arts are a form of aerobic exercising. It is a total body exercise that strengthens the muscles and the bones, making the child both physically prepared and mentally aware.
7. Jump Rope
Using the jump rope to skip is good for children because it helps with development of stronger motor skills in the legs. It is also known to help children grow faster in height as it helps promote growth hormones in the body. It also works on flexibility, better coordination, and toning of the muscles. . This is why skipping is one of those fun exercises that can promote good health and fit muscles in children.
8. Skateboarding
Skateboarding requires a lot of focus and stability in the body. By learning how to skateboard, children can develop a renewed sense of balance in their movements. Since this isn’t a very easy skill to learn, kids tend to learn through trial and error. Learning how to balance the speed and movement on a skateboard involves a lot of mental work, making kids think and perceive things more logically when they're on a skateboard. This aerobic exercise is a fun but also a tricky way to teach a child how to be more focused. This is learnt by concentrating on balancing, maintaining a consistent speed.
9. Hiking
Hiking and trekking are not just for adults. Even children can take part in this outdoor activity. They can make the most of its benefits by catering to their adventurous side while also making their bodies stronger and more resistant. Hiking helps in building up stamina, improves lung capacity and strengthens the legs. Hiking also helps with building strength in general and reduces the risk of respiratory problems, as the lungs become a lot stronger. The respiratory tract becomes less volatile with more intake of oxygen.
10. Gymnastics
A child's body is twice as easy to mould as a fully-grown adult’s body. This is because they are still growing and developing. Trying out gymnastics would be easier for a kid and its benefits include increased flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and better body balance. Gymnastics is a great way to introduce aerobics activity for children, into their daily lives.
Benefits Of Aerobics Exercise For Children?
The exercises are easy to do, are fun and engaging, and offer numerous benefits of aerobics for children who take an interest in it. Let's have a look at these benefits:
1. Better Mobility
Regular exercise prevents the kid’s limbs from becoming stiff and allows free-flowing uninterrupted movement. This allows the child to feel healthy, empowered and does not restrict them from playing or indulging in their favourite games.
2. Good Immunity
Due to increased oxygen in the lungs, the child’s lung capacity increases and so does the stamina. When stamina increases, the child becomes healthier and his/her blood absorbs nutrients and essential minerals faster. This means that children will be able to absorb all the essential nutrients from the air and from the food they consume. This directly results in boosted immunity and strength.
3. Academic Performance
With increased oxygen enriching the whole body, the brain is enriched too. The brain requires a good amount of blood flow to function optimally and make the best use of the nervous system. Being academically sound is not about how many books a child reads or how good his/her report card looks, but how receptive and retentive his brain is.
4. Better Teamwork
Aerobic exercises give children the perfect opportunity to meet other like-minded children who have active lifestyles and are eager to get out of the house and explore. They learn to mingle with other kids and learn to perform better in a diverse group. Even in schools, working in a team is given importance because it is an essential life skill. When a child is locked up at home and doesn't get out much, he/she misses out on many opportunities to meet other children and develop this important life skill.
5. Reduced Mental Health Problems
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression have become common in children nowadays. They often experience a lot of mental stress and peer pressure and are at a very confusing stage in life. It is a fact that exercising helps release additional endorphins into the body. These endorphins are useful for fighting anxiety and depression and for elevating the mood. This makes the child feel happier and stress-free. Sometimes it takes more than just regular medicine to fight mental illness and aerobic exercises are a viable option.
6. Fighting Obesity
Obesity in children is often overlooked by parents because they don't consider it an actual problem. Obesity weakens the child and increases vulnerability to diseases. Irrespective of the age, it's always better to be of a proportionate weight and eat healthy. Aerobic exercise also helps in dealing with this problem as it keeps a check on their weight. It helps in losing additional fat cells that build up with junk-eating and irregular digestion.
7. Stronger Muscles
During the growing years, muscles and bones have the maximum potential to become sturdy and strong. Training children at a young age through exercise makes the muscles stronger and prevents the build-up of fatty acids in the muscles. In fact, if a child's muscles are strengthened right from an early age, he/she will have very few muscle related problems in the future. This is because their bodies will be a lot less susceptible to injuries and soreness.
8. Better Bone Density
Giving children milk and other calcium-rich substances helps make theirbones strong. You can enhance the benefits of calcium by introducing exercise into their lives. Weak bones are a major problem that can cause several injuries and long-term problems..
9. Stronger Lungs
Aerobics ensures that larger volumes of continuous oxygen are pumped into the body. This causes the children's lung capacity to increase significantly, making their lungs strong and healthy. Respiratory problems are quite common in young kids because of how vulnerable their immune system is to infections. This is because their bodies are still in the development stage. Through exercise and movement, their stamina increases gradually and they are at a lower risk of contracting respiratory problems.
10. Good Appetite
Children usually have erratic eating habits. They refuse to eat healthy food and would rather binge on snacks and what they call “tasty” food. The truth is that junk food has no nutritional value and only harms the digestive system. This can lead to stomach pains, loose bowels and so on. Aerobics helps build an appetite where the kid’s bodies yearn for food with nutritional content.
By introducing aerobics exercise into a child's life, you would be highly enhancing their health, mind, cognitive, emotional abilities and make them stronger inside out. So, go ahead and try out these exercises, and you will see the results for yourself!
Also Read:
Brain Exercises for Kids
Listening Activities and Games for Kids
Yoga for Kids Read more
Suggested for you
Dressing and Undressing Skills in Your 16 Months Old
When should toddlers dress and undress themselves? Learn more about the right age when toddlers start practicing this self-care skill. Your 16-months-old will take more time to wear his clothes on his own, but then the initiation of this process is not too far away.
As a parent, you eagerly wait for your baby to reach the self-dressing milestone, which gives the child a sense of independence and control. Also, the fact that he pulls on his socks while you tuck in the shirt will save you some time as well! It’s at about 12 to 16 months of age when toddlers start tugging at their clothes and make caretakers take notice during dressing time.
Toddler Milestones: Dressing
1. At What Age Toddlers Dress and Undress Themselves?
Your toddler’s cognitive abilities will start making an appearance around his first birthday. Though 16-months-old dressing and undressing themselves completely isn't possible, the one year mark signals that your toddler has started understanding the concept of clothing. At this time, you'll find him playing with a button, shuffling his legs to help put on those yellow leggings, or tugging at his T-shirt’s neck to hasten the process.
2. The Inception of Undressing
On an average, a child should be able to remove some of his clothing without aid between the ages of 22 and 30 months. Of course, there are aberrations where some kids reach this stage as early as 18 months while other kids take much longer. Undressing, like other milestones, differs from one child to the other.
3. The Right Age for Undressing Without Help
If you're wondering when toddlers should dress and undress completely, remember that this development stage will appear by their third birth anniversary. So, if you're raising a 3-year-old child be sure to find your tot plunging in the pool in his swimwear before you can even say, “Let’s change!”
4. The Right Age When Children can Dress Themselves Completely
Keep those tough back zips, tricky buttons, shoelaces and complicated snaps aside, and you can expect a 4 to 5-year-old child to dress himself entirely. Children of this age are likely to put on their underwear, pants, socks, shirts, and shoes without any difficulty. A child as young as one or two years of age will somewhat attempt at dressing himself too.
5. Take Stock of your Child's Willingness
It's important to remember that each toddler’s personality is different and plays an essential role in his willingness to learn the skill of dressing. Children with a self-driven, ready-to-grow, mentality are likely to take up dressing responsibilities faster. Consequently, those who love being cuddled and tickled after a bath. likely to be less spontaneous in this department. However, in time, you'll see such toddlers dressing themselves all on their own too.
The best way to spot an anomaly is to keep a close watch on the aforementioned dressing milestones and consult a therapist if your child fails to reach them. Above all, make sure to keep encouragement handy.
How was this phase for you - tricky or smooth? Do tell us in the comments! Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Gifting ideas for newborn babies and toddlers Making it easy for everone
1. Clothes
An ideal gift for a new born baby are clothes. Gift them soft cotton or muslin clothes which are good for sensetive skin.
2. Toys
Toys are the best gift for babies to keep them engaged soft toys, rattles, teether, musical toys, play gym
3. High chair
Help in feeding baby recommended only after the baby is 6month old and have a control over his head.
4. Play mat
A good play mat allows the baby to explore to new things on it own
5. Jewellery
Gifting a jewellery is always an asset. Who doesn't love Jewellery obviously everyone does
So it's been a ideal gift since decades
6. Sofa seat
A sofa seat is ideal for baby above 6 months who can control over his head.
7.bath and body care
A baby required good quality baby care products both bath as well as body so one can gift baby bath, soap, powder, shampoo, oil combo. The best in the market are sebamed, Cetaphil and Himalayas .
8. Swaddle
Swaddle are the must and the best gift for a baby
9. walker
Walker are a perfect gift for baby above 6-7 months. musical walkers are the best allowed baby to explore and have fun at the same time
10. Gift voucher
When you don't understand what to gift to a baby. The best you can give them are the gift voucher so that one can get what ever they require which is just the perfect give for them
11. Diaper
Gifting diapers are the best gift one can give because diapers are expensive also every parent required lots and lots of diaper right from the day a baby is born to 3 years of age. So gifting diapers are an ideal gift. Best diapers are pampers and one can get cloth diaper from the brand supperbottoms which are reusable Read more
Suggested for you
Contribution – First Parenthood is a thrilling experience as no-one could imagine it.
Parenthood is not a word, itself is an institution of its own unique kind. It can’t be defined in a word or in a few sentences. It is as larger as this universe. I dare to write something, a little bit of, about my first parenthood and it’s experiences. I am a Father of a 16 months old baby boy. We delighted to have our little one after almost 11 years of our marriage. That’s a different topic out of this story. Initial first two months for upbringing our little baby, we faced lots of difficulties. Cause we were alone at our home, both we and our little baby only. Our parents are staying at some other place by their livelihood but it’s not that they were missing all d time. Since my wife’s pregnancy until delivery, they cared,helped and delivering all possible deeds, as other does.i had to look after my work as well as for my baby. Most of d time my wife alone had played d sole responsibility towards our little loved one. But a nightmare came in our life when our baby aged between 3 to 4 months only. He developed a rare skin disease.Red spot and rashes occurred all over his body. We shivered and traumatised to see our dear one suffered and cried.it was so heart broken to see our little baby cried badly in panic when itchiness and bitchiness played in his body. He was not able to sleep properly at night and even we awakened whole of d night to look after our baby. We ran from doctor to doctor but no result came.even we performed some rituals for our piece and for our baby’s recovery. we got almost shattered at that time. No hope of ray coming at anyway.Our little baby faced and fight back against this bad disease at his own little little developing mind.He is a real fighter.He proved it. Suddenly a miracle happened. God exists. A doctor or God comes our way and under his brilliant diagnosis and medication, our child recovered gradually.Really, just I can say only, that doctor saved our baby and above all, “blessing from God”. Now our little one becomes a child in front of our eyes, living and playing happily. We have been learned a lesson from that trauma that parenthood is not as easy as it looks from outside. It is a commitment itself. Nothing can compare with d parenthood at any cost. It is very beautiful and wonderful. No matter comes, when child first comes.We parents go to any stage, whatever be d situation, when matter comes about d life of our child. Childhood, Adulthood, Parenthood and Oldhood are four pillars of everybody’s life. Noone can escape from it. Even animals played their role in upbringing of their siblings. We are now living in a place of fast development, rapid changing of climate, polluted air,water or everything, fast pace of livinghood, super competition in all, but above all, under all circumstances, we have to do best for our little child in health,sports,cultural activities, education, carrier, jobs, business, wedding untill end, in all aspects. Then we can proudly announce that our parenthood becomes successful. “When there is a will, there is a way”. This famous saying fitted well in our case where we lost all d ray of hope for our little one. Don’t loose, do fight,fight and fight back as our little angel did at a little age, we,,not… actually our brave boy won d battle. We won at last. Our parenthood won.
Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
13 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what is muconium staining?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 hours ago
A. due to feetal distance that will be mcconium passing in the uterine cavity itself. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts What should I buy for my baby however I'm just expecting in 2 month
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. you can get information regarding essentials of the new ones watch any YouTube channel. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
12 hours ago
Q. I got faint line all my pregnancy test and I missed my periods for 10 days but USG and TVs test confirm there is no pregnancy is there any chance that it is very early stage that's why it is not visible???? or TVs test is the last thing that can tell that really there is no pregnancy
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. I think it would be advisable for you to get an ultrasound done with your doctor that’s going to give you a clarity because if there is a pregnancy it would be visible at least at least that sack is visible if it’s a regular pregnancy so it would be advisable to have a test with your doctor
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby girl and boyhai one month 8 days old kya mai ghutti de sakte hun ya gripe water de sakte hun aur kab se start kar sakte hun
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
7 hours ago
A. dear Mum, you should not give any sort of gripe water or ghutti to your baby. these are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause infection to your baby. so, these should be completely avoided.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreAbhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
4 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Check out this new Memory
Zeneeta
Mom of a 8 m old girl
3 mins ago
#MamyPokoMilestoneMemories
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Suman Sabharwal
Mom of a 5 m old boy
6 mins ago
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Seema Debbrma
Mom of a 1 yr 3 m old girl
12 mins ago
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
rutuja
Mom of a 8 yr 2 m old boy
19 mins ago
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Munmun Dhara
Guardian of a 10 m old girl
31 mins ago
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive