| Take any child who has been actively playing for an | | | | also teaching important lessons from sharing to |
| hour or two and you will see the true meaning of | | | | resolving anger to teamwork. All of these qualities will |
| exhaustion. Playing is a form of exercise. Typical play | | | | help shape a child into a polite, respectable adult. |
| involves running around, climbing on things, riding a bike, | | | | Another sport that is very popular with kids and adults |
| stomping in mud puddles, or chasing a pet. Yet, how | | | | alike is tennis. It is a sport that can be played from a |
| many children who do spend an hour or two actively | | | | very young age without being overly succeptible to |
| playing are pictures of health, both mentally and | | | | injuries.While it is tempting for an adult to set limits for a |
| physically.As with any adult, children need their | | | | child, it is often best to let the child decide when |
| exercise. Exercise helps keep a child fit. He or she will | | | | enough is enough. If allowed to choose his or her |
| find they can sleep more easily, awaken feeling | | | | capabilities from a young age, a child will often learn to |
| refreshed, score better on quizzes, and feel filled with | | | | set manageable limits. These choices last well into |
| energy. Play time as a child helps instill the foundations | | | | adulthood. The dangers of pushing him or her too hard |
| for a lifetime of healthy choices. A fit child is one who | | | | are virtually eliminated.In today's world, it is tempting to |
| spends a good portion of his or her day actively doing | | | | force a child to get chores done, finish homework, and |
| something that involves movement. Not only does that | | | | clean his or her bedroom. School days are becoming |
| exercise create a healthy body and a healthy mind, but | | | | longer and homework and chores are keeping children |
| it also teaches a child how to interact with both him or | | | | from having any time for play. This needs to |
| herself and others.By playing together, children learn | | | | stop!Doctors and scientists are now finding that |
| how to read another child's body language. They learn | | | | keeping a child from playtime is actually causing |
| how to handle disagreements, resolve issues, and | | | | troublesome issues. They feel this may be part of the |
| interact politely. These are all lessons that will last a | | | | reason for the drastic rise in ADHD. Children need time |
| lifetime. School settings are excellent for learning to | | | | to burn off their energy in free play with minimal |
| play together, but some teachers interfere when a | | | | interference from an adult.Allow your child to play as |
| troublesome issue occurs. It is best to let children | | | | desired. Also, within reason, allow your child to set his |
| attempt to resolve these issues by themselves before | | | | or her own limits. By allowing a child the freedom to |
| adults interfere.Organized sports are perhaps the most | | | | choose, you are helping that child learn valuable skills |
| popular form of play in a child's life. Soccer, baseball, | | | | that will last a lifetime.Gregg Hall is an author living in |
| and flag football all help a child to stay in shape while | | | | Navarre Beach, Florida. |