Why Active Play Is Key to Children’s Mental Development

Have you ever thought about why your kids can't get enough of chasing each other, playing tag, or building block towers?It may all seem like nothing but pure fun. Nonetheless, there's a lot more going on behind the scenes. Active play doesn't just keep children occupied; it boosts their mental functions. But why is active play key to children's mental development? In what ways does it help your child grow more imaginative, self-assured, and socially adept? And, finally, how can you fit more of it into their daily life? Let's dig into these questions and reveal why PHIT America considers active play one of the best ways to make kids healthier, smarter, and happier!

What is active play?

Before discussing why active play matters, let's break down what it involves. In a nutshell, active play is a type of play that involves physical activity, more specifically, the one that gets the little ones moving and their hearts pumping. This can include anything—from running, jumping, and climbing to dancing, playing sports, or even playing hide-and-seek.

Besides its numerous physical advantages, active play has a significant influence on kids' mental growth. Just as there is a positive impact of exercise on mental health in adults, physical activity helps children handle stress, regulate their mood, and sharpen their cognitive skills. Therefore, it's important to encourage it from an early age to keep your little ones of sound mind and body.

Why is active play important for children’s mental development?

Active play helps out the little ones in more ways than one. But why is it crucial for children's mental development?

It boosts their cognitive abilities

Did you notice that your kids seem to think faster when they're in the middle of a game? That's because physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, directly delivering oxygen to it. In the process, kids' memory, focus, and problem-solving skills get a boost.

It enhances their creativity and imagination

When kids are out there pretending to be pirates, astronauts, or superheroes, they’re crafting stories, inventing scenarios, and thinking on their feet. This kind of play encourages them to dream big, solve problems in unique ways, and see the world from different perspectives.

It builds their confidence and self-esteem

As children play, they might fall and scrape their knees, but when they get back up and try again, they learn resilience. These experiences teach kids that they can overcome obstacles, no matter how complicated they may seem at a given moment. This is a powerful lesson, one that boosts their self-esteem and prepares them for future challenges.

It promotes their social skills and teaches emotional intelligence

Games that involve teamwork, sharing, and taking turns teach important social skills and help kids understand and manage their emotions better.

Active play helps children realize empathy by helping them understand how their friends feel when they win or lose. They also practice communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution in the process.

How to incorporate more active play into your child's daily life

The so-called ''inactivity pandemic'' continues to take its toll on children, leading to obesity and diabetes, among other conditions.

A study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and produced by the WHO found that 85% of girls and 78% of boys aged between 11 and 17 are insufficiently active. This is alarming, especially when we consider the fact that every child should get approximately 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

At PHIT America, we believe physical activity is the ultimate miracle drug, as it provides no less than 12 benefits to children. It helps with the following:

1. Reduces instances of childhood obesity

2. Promotes better academic performance

3. Minimizes diabetes, heart disease & cancer risk

4. Improves immunity

5. It makes bones & muscles stronger

6. Boosts energy

7. Encourages equal gender rights

8. Improves mental wellness

9. Prepares children for active duty (in case they opt for a career in the military)

10. Helps cut down on medical costs

11. Increases chances of career success

12. Encourages long, healthy life

The only question is, how do you get children to actually engage in physical activity, especially if they've been leading a mostly sedentary life up until now? By incorporating active play into their routine, as that blends fun and exercise.

Tips for making active play a routine

●      Turn chores into activities. Have a race to see who can pick up toys the fastest or turn cleaning the house into a dance-off.

●      Lead by example and participate in active play with your kids. Your involvement will motivate them to be more active.

●      Limit screen time and encourage alternative activities like playing outside or taking their pet for a walk or—even better—a run!

●      Sign your children up for sports groups, dance classes, or martial arts.

●      Allow time for unstructured play, where kids can use their imagination and creativity. Let them come up with their own games and rules, as that will further boost their problem-solving skills and creativity.

●      Celebrate your little ones' efforts, especially if they have only recently become active. This will encourage them to turn active play into a daily habit.

Encourage daily active play to improve your child's cognitive skills

Now that you understand why active play is key to children's mental development, it's time to encourage your little ones to play constantly. The more they do it, the better. You may get tired running around them, especially if they are little, but you'll also get a good workout in the process. Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it? And if you'd like to make sure all children in your area receive their daily dose of physical activity, help PHIT America bring increased physical activity programs to local schools. Visit our website to learn how you can get involved or help by making a donation.