Doing some flexibility exercises should be part of your child's daily routine. These exercises make your child’s body healthier and more active. Kids have different levels of flexibility but it’s important they do the exercises right.
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Benefits of stretching exercises
There are many benefits your child gets from stretching exercises, such as:
1- Prevents injuries.
2- Keeps flexibility through puberty.
3- Adds agility to the body.
4- Reduces muscle tension.
5- Improves joint health.
6- Increases blood flow in the muscles.
7- Gives a feeling of mental relaxation.
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When should a child do stretching exercises?
A child should do stretching before and after other exercises like running and playing football or basketball, or they can do yoga every day or at least 3 times daily without other exercises.
Stretching should be part of kids' exercises as part of warm-up, including repeated arm circles and trunk and leg swings.
After sports, there should be stretching for the muscles the child used to help strengthen their muscles.
Show your child how to tell the difference between muscle stretch and muscle strain or pain. If your child has pain, consult a doctor or physiotherapist for guidance.
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Stretches for Kids
These activities include some gentle, fun, and easy stretches and flexibility exercises for kids like:
1- Simple Stretching SeriesShow your child these simple stretch moves and try to exercise with them. This series targets muscles in the arms, legs, and back. It's better if your child does these outdoors.
2- Art Projects There are lots of art projects like dancing and acting where your child can join in. They include some stretching exercises and are more fun for kids. So you can look for groups that hold these projects and get your child involved.
3- Try some yoga exercises: Do yoga with your child using a yoga mat. Change poses every time to add a bit of challenge and fun for your child.
4- Picture books :- There are some books that teach your child how to do some yoga and stretching exercises on their own. You can buy some of these series.
5- Adventure parks :- If your child has reached their teenage years, you can take them to adventure and climbing parks so they can move all their muscles.
There are many ways you can help your child practice stretching exercises and make their body more flexible. This also boosts their daily activity, which will protect them from many diseases like obesity and high blood pressure.
