How Exercise Can Help Improve Kids’ Behavior!

It’s true, many parents and teachers have noticed an improvement in children’s behavior and focus after participating in physical activity, and there is substantive research that validates their observations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity can help improve cognitive function and academic performance in children.

Exercise has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem in kids (CDC, 2021).

These mental health benefits can translate to better behavior and social interactions in children.

In one study, kids who participated in regular physical activity had higher grades and test scores, as well as better attendance records, than those who were inactive (Pate et al., 1995).

Another study found that physical activity can improve executive function skills, such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving, in children (Chaddock et al., 2010).

The best way to introduce more movement in your child’s life is to do it as a family. Exercising daily can have a constant effect on making the benefits above more lasting in your child’s life.

At Move B Happy you can find out how to do this daily with my book “15 Fun Minutes to Strong Kids, How to Build a Lifetime of Fun Movement Habits for Your Kids.”

Understanding how exercise affects your child’s brain development starting at a young age is important:

• Areas of the brain responsible for memory, informational processing, impulse control, and behavior are influenced by movement.
• For example, angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels in the brain is improved through exercise and this results in improvement of learning skills and behavior.
• An increase in the size of the hippocampus results from physical exercise. The hippocampus is responsible for memory, spatial navigation, and behavioral inhibition.
• Through exercise the number of synaptic connections in the brain improves, and this leads to a better coordination between the brain and the body.

Learn how to workout daily as a family and improve your child’s behavior. Check out our Courses section of the website and take advantage of the 7 DAY FREE TRIALS we have on our 15 Fun Minutes to Strong Kids courses.

Monica Donosso is a mom and fitness coach based in Florida. She loves to inspire families to a healthy lifestyle of movement, mindful practices and good nutrition habits.

Monica Donosso is a mom and fitness coach based in Florida. She loves to inspire families to a healthy lifestyle of movement, mindful practices and good nutrition habits.