Private Schools Nurture Children’s Overall Health Why Physical Well-Being Is So Important

Roughly one-third of U.S. children are overweight, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). That means that is more important than ever before for schools to instill healthy habits and promote fun physical activities to young Americans. The good news is that private elementary schools are doing exactly that.

In the U.S., there are approximately 33,619 private schools. A staggering 5.4 million children attending them, starting in preschool. Why are private elementary schools the best option, particularly when it comes to physical health and athletics?

Know The Importance Of Physical Health

First, private schools seek out the most current research to formulate their curriculum and programs, and the science agrees: physical activity and exercise is a must for Americans of all ages. Instilling these habits young promotes life-long health, and introduces good habits early so they can be empowering and fun, not challenging or a chore.

Exercise helps strengthen kids’ muscles and bones, helps them maintain an ideal weight, builds a strong heart, and promotes good sleep. Those are just the physical benefits. Studies show that taking part in physical activity helps children socialize and form new friendships as well as lowering their stress levels and promoting emotional and mental well-being. Exercise and play increases serotonin, a chemical in our body that regulates mood, according to a 2019 study in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Private Schools Open Up Possibilities

Left unchecked, children may begin to favor ever-popular sedentary activities, like video games, watching TV, and–increasingly–spending more and more time on smartphones. Sometimes, the problem isn’t that kids genuinely prefer these things, it’s a lack of exposure to alternatives. Private elementary schools expose them to the basics, like playing tag, using the monkey bars, and doing somersaults and cartwheels. However, many also offer a variety of specialized programs in any number of fun activities and sports, such as archery, baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, equestrian activities, gymnastics, hockey, ice skating, kick ball, lacrosse, and more. Without a wide variety of sports and activities to choose from, your child is very likely to find something that suits them–and something they’ll want to continue doing for a long time.

Small Class Sizes Allow For Personalized Coaching

Private schools have smaller class sizes. This frees up coaches to divide kids into smaller groups, and provide one-on-one coaching as necessary. With individual, specialized attention, coaches can address any problems in form or approach that may make sports or activities feel more difficult to your child. With coaches correcting and improving small things, sports begin to feel easier, more accessible, and more fun to the kids who take part in them.

Sports Friendships Are The Best Friendships

Friendships children form in sports teams or while taking part in shared physical activity are especially fruitful, including team-building and support. Team sports require frequent interaction and cooperation, teaching kids skill they will use for the rest of their lives. Moreover, kids in teams tend to be working toward a common goal. As such, they lift up and support each other–all positive traits in childhood friendships.

Private elementary schools know the importance of physical activity and sports, and make sure your kid knows it, too. With the right private school and sport, you can instill healthy habits at an early age and make sure these good habits are part of the everyday norm for your child.