Is Moving Around Good for Kids and Moving Experiences in Childhood

Moving around is generally not bad for kids in fact it is essential for their physical, social, and cognitive development. Here are some key points to consider:

Physical Health

Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones and muscles, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It provides a range of benefits that contribute to the overall physical health and well-being of kids.

Motor Skills Development

Activities like running, jumping, and playing sports enhance coordination, balance, and overall motor skills. Engaging in various forms of physical activity helps children develop the fine and gross motor skills necessary for everyday tasks and long-term physical development.

Social Skills

Engaging in group activities or team sports helps kids develop social skills, learn teamwork, and build friendships. These experiences are instrumental in shaping their interpersonal relationships and social interactions, contributing to their overall emotional and cognitive growth.

Cognitive Benefits

Physical activity has been linked to improved concentration, memory, and classroom behavior. It can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, making children more resilient and better equipped to handle the challenges of daily life.

Emotional Well-being

Moving around and being active can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment. These positive emotional outcomes are crucial for developing a healthy self-image and self-confidence from an early age.

Balance and Moderation

It’s important for kids to have a balanced approach to movement, including time for rest and recovery as well as opportunities for both structured and unstructured play. Overexertion or excessive competitive pressure can lead to burnout or injury, so moderation and encouragement of a variety of activities are key.

Examples of Child Moving Experiences

I was six years old when I moved house. I didn’t move house again until I moved out of home at 26 years old. But while I only moved house as a child once, I seem to remember it being an exciting experience. I was an only child until my younger brother was born when I was 8 years old. I was six at the time we moved so I was still an only child then.

My parents included me by taking me with some of the houses they were looking at while they were house hunting. I vaguely remember being excited at the thought of having a bigger house. I remember liking some not really liking others. But for a six-year-old me, I was inquisitive and curious about the thought of a new house rather than sad or scared or upset about it.

The house I lived in from birth until we moved wasn’t exactly small but it was a single-story semi-detached house. The house we ended up moving to was bigger and it was a detached house. But honestly, being bigger and being a detached house weren’t important to me. To a six-year-old me, the COOLEST thing ever about the house we eventually moved to was that IT HAD AN UPSTAIRS!

To my six-year-old brain, having an UPSTAIRS was the most amazing thing a six-year-old could ever want from a new house - and SUPER important… because I was six. A two-story house is more exciting than a single-story house.

Conclusion

Moving around and engaging in physical activities are crucial for the development of children. While physical movement offers numerous benefits, a balanced approach is essential to ensure that children are neither overexerted nor burned out. Personal experiences, such as moving house, can also shape a child's perspective and emotional well-being, adding to the complexity of their growth and development journey.