It's finally here - the moment all parents have been looking forward to since June - School!!! The kids are finally off to another wonderful educational year. But how will they make school a success this year? What is the secret to academic success anyway?
A new study has found that children who are physically fit tend to earn higher scores on standardized testing. A 2006 study that took place at Michigan State University in East Lansing found that sixth grade students who participated in vigorous athletic endeavors outside of school -- such as soccer, football, or even skateboarding -- achieved grades that were approximately 10 percent higher in math, science, English, and social studies classes. And more recently the research, conducted at the University of North Texas in Denton, found that fit kids performed better on both math and reading grade-level tests. And it makes perfect sense if you consider that those who are fit, whether adult or child, tend to have better concentration skills, memory, and focus than their peers who are not in shape.
The benefits of exercise are amazing! Not just will the body be toned and you will have more energy, but exercise boosts the immune system, oxygenates the blood (oxygenated blood build more red blood cells which fight disease), keeps you heart healthy, lowers blood pressure, regulates sugar, helps the organs operate more efficiently, creates better digestive health from top to 'bottom' and aids in depression. did you know that a big reason why most kids are ADHD are because they don't get time to play and get exercise at all during the day or spend a lot of sedentary time.
And while it is very important to most of us that our children perform well academically, there are also valuable health-related reasons to make sure your kids are fit. With rising rates of childhood obesity and diseases such as diabetes among our youth, it is more essential than ever to get kids off the couch and away from the television or computer for at least some period of time every day. It is definitely easier to start your kids off with good habits such as eating nutritiously and exercising regularly when they are very young, but all is not lost if your children are already older. Bad habits are harder to break, but if the whole family makes changes together and gets involved in fitness, even middle schoolers can be persuaded to join in some healthy activities.
So what can you do to help your child and even your family become physically fit and healthy? First why not sit down together as a family and discuss how you are all going to make some awesome changes together...make challenges, get the family together to decide on new menus and foods, what kinds of exercise to do and when, how much water is being consumed. Make it fun and have the whole family do it together! We as parents are role models for our kids...you know the saying "monkey see, monkey do?" This is a proven fact. If mom and dad sit all day and night at the computer, what do you think the kids will be doing? But if mom and dad are active and taking good care of themselves, the kids will follow suit. Easy, right?
Here are some ideas for helping your child succeed bothy physically and mentally:
1. Be sure Junior has a good breakfast - not just a pop tart or instant breakfast. it may require a little advance planning, especially if mom and dad both work outside the home. But it CAN be done! Be creative and get the kids involved to. Oh and by the way a breakfast of coffee and toast isnt good for the parents either. think of things that are quick and easy, but will give protein and carbohydrates to keep everyone going all morning.
2. Get some exercise! As mentioned before exercise helps kids improve their grades! Kids sit all day long at school. Sadly a lot of schools have cut out recess and Physical Education classes. Give the kids a snack when they come home from school (apple, cut up carrot sticks and dip...something wholesome and healthy) and then send them outside to get the ants out of their pants for about an hr. The President's Council for Physical Fitness suggests at least 60 minutes a day! Take some family time in the evening to play together..after all, you've probably been sitting most of the day too! And kids LOVE spending fun time with their parents.
3. Help your child drink at least 6 glasses of water a day (8 for adults). Dehydration can cause foggy thinking, fatigue, and lack of energy. Soda leaches calcium from the bones and we all know kids are developing strong bones at this time. So cut out the sodas, add in the water. Cut our the sugary fruit juices too...that will deplete their immune systems, allowing them to catch every bug going around. Besides cutting back on sugar will help them focus much better!
4. Smile! Keeping a happy attitude in the home, being thankful and having a helpful attitude goes a long way for success both in the home and school environments. Also keeps your body health too!
Our kids are the future of our world. Let's give them a good start with good tools to help them build a healthy, happy, successful life! Lets end the trend of couch potato kids, and watch them develop strong intellect and bodies as well!
Enjoy the school year!!!
