1.1 Explain why physical activity is important to the short- and long-term health and well-being of children

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Explain why physical activity is important to the short- and long-term health and well-being of children.

Physical activity is any movement that uses energy and works the muscles. In children, this can include play, sports, walking, running, dancing, climbing, and active games. It is a natural part of healthy growth and is a key factor in physical, mental and emotional well-being.

From early childhood onwards, being active helps the body develop properly. It promotes strong bones, healthy muscles, good balance and coordination. It also influences how well internal systems such as the heart and lungs perform. Beyond the physical benefits, activity supports brain development, learning skills and emotional resilience.

For workers in the children and young people’s workforce, understanding the link between activity and well-being helps in promoting healthy habits. Encouraging regular movement is not only part of a healthy lifestyle, but it shapes how children grow into healthier adults.

Short-term Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

Short-term benefits relate to changes and improvements that can be seen and felt soon after activity. This can be during play, shortly after exercise, or within weeks of regular movement.

Boost to Energy Levels

Children often feel more energetic after moving their bodies. Physical activity increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles and brain. This can lead to better alertness and concentration.

Improved Mood and Emotional Balance

Activity stimulates the release of chemical messengers in the brain called endorphins. These help reduce feelings of stress, tension and anxiety. Movement can create a sense of accomplishment and happiness, especially when children enjoy what they are doing.

Supporting Healthy Weight

Active play and exercise burn calories. This helps keep body weight within a healthy range. When energy intake through food matches energy used through activity, it supports normal growth patterns.

Better Sleep

Children who have been active during the day tend to sleep more deeply. Quality sleep helps the body repair and supports memory and learning.

Stronger Muscles and Bones

Even a short period of regular activity strengthens muscles and bones. Activities like jumping, climbing, and running stimulate bone density and muscle tone.

Social Skills

Through active play and group exercise, children learn social interaction. They practise teamwork, sharing and communication skills.

Long-term Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

Long-term benefits are the changes and advantages that build up over months and years. They affect how the body functions and reduce the risk of illness later in life.

Prevention of Health Problems

Regular activity across childhood helps prevent common lifestyle-related diseases in adulthood, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Staying active strengthens the cardiovascular system and keeps blood sugar levels steady.

Healthy Bone Development

Bones grow stronger when they are used in weight-bearing activities. Jumping, running, and climbing encourage long-term bone strength, helping to prevent osteoporosis in later years.

Lifelong Healthy Weight Management

Children who are active are more likely to manage their weight more effectively as they grow older. Activity supports metabolism, which contributes to maintaining a healthy weight.

Better Posture and Mobility

Over years of active movement, posture improves and muscles remain flexible. Children grow into adults who can move more easily and without pain.

Greater Resilience

Physical activity teaches persistence, coping strategies and confidence. Children who experience success through physical challenges grow more confident in tackling problems throughout life.

Healthy Heart and Lung Function

Continued activities that raise heart rate, such as running, cycling or sports, improve heart and lung capacity. This makes daily tasks easier and reduces fatigue in adulthood.

Psychological and Emotional Benefits

Physical activity is not just about the body. It plays a powerful role in mental well-being.

• Helps build self-esteem by showing children they can learn and improve skills
• Reduces stress through chemical changes in the brain and distraction from problems
• Creates a sense of belonging if activity is done in groups or teams
• Encourages problem solving through games and sports challenges
• Supports emotional regulation. Physical activity can help children manage frustration and anger in a positive way

These psychological benefits have both immediate and lasting impacts on a child’s ability to cope with life events.

Physical Development and Learning

Activity encourages development of fine and gross motor skills. Gross motor skills involve large movements like running, jumping, and throwing. Fine motor skills involve smaller movements such as balancing objects or controlling hand movements during play.

Active movement supports coordination, spatial awareness and reaction speed. Children learn how to control their bodies in different environments. For example, climbing develops grip strength and balance, while ball games teach timing and anticipation.

Learning is also supported in a direct way. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration and memory. Studies suggest that physically active children often do better in classroom tasks.

Social Benefits

Playing physically active games with others teaches cooperation, compromise and empathy. Team sports and group games introduce trust-building and respect for rules.

These experiences develop skills in:

• Communication
• Sharing responsibilities
• Supporting others
• Resolving disagreements

Many children find that sport and group play give them friendships and social stability. This can protect against feelings of isolation, which affects mental health.

Supporting Healthy Habits

Children who grow with regular activity often carry these habits into adulthood. Habits formed early in life are easier to maintain. Encouraging active play, walking or cycling to school, and regular games helps make movement a natural part of daily life.

Promoting healthy habits is easier when adults model active lifestyles. Children often copy the behaviour they see. If parents, carers and workers take part, children are more likely to join in.

Factors Affecting Activity Levels

There are many influences on how much activity children do. Understanding these helps workers support each child effectively.

• Access to open spaces or play equipment
• Family lifestyle and values regarding exercise
• School and nursery policies on active play
• Screen time limits
• Health conditions that may restrict movement
• Confidence levels in physical skills

Workers can look for ways to overcome barriers, such as adapting games for children with mobility difficulties or providing indoor active play in poor weather.

Recommendations for Activity Levels

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people aged 5 to 18 should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily. This can be broken into short periods. Activities should include both aerobic work and muscle or bone strengthening exercises.

For younger children, active play spread throughout the day with varied movements is encouraged. Activities should be enjoyable and suit the child’s abilities and interests.

Practical Ways to Encourage Activity

• Provide a variety of games indoors and outdoors
• Encourage walking or cycling for short journeys
• Include music and dance sessions
• Use equipment like balls, skipping ropes, and hula hoops
• Give opportunities for children to lead games and activities
• Reduce sitting times, especially during long lessons or screen use

Creating a supportive and safe environment is important for engagement. Children are more likely to take part when they feel confident and included.

Final Thoughts

Physical activity is a foundation for healthy development in children. It supports both body and mind, offering benefits that start immediately and grow stronger over time. For those working with children, promoting movement is much more than improving fitness. It is about building the habits, skills, and confidence that shape lifelong health.

By making activity fun, varied and accessible, workers can help children discover the joy of movement. This sets the stage for healthier futures, reducing health risks and enhancing quality of life from childhood into adulthood. Regular physical activity is an investment in every child’s present and future well-being.