BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – As the school year comes to a close, healthcare professionals say it’s important to keep kids active even during the summer months.
Allie Davidson, a nurse practitioner and clinical services director at ARH Lifestyle Medicine, said staying active is just as crucial once school lets out.
“During the school year, they’re used to getting up, being active at school, having a PE class or going out to recess or being involved in extracurricular activities. But in the summer, it tends to slow down quite a bit,” Davidson said. “So we don’t want to reduce the amount that they are active during those summer months just because their schedule might be a little bit off. It’s just as important in the summer to keep them going as it is throughout the school year.”
Davidson recommends parents take advantage of local parks and playgrounds, playing a summer sport, going on family walks and bike rides and arranging active playdates with friends. Parents can also take advantage of local gyms during rainy days, and swimming is a popular summertime activity that provides great exercise.
She said activity doesn’t need to be structured, and free play can often get kids the exercise they need. That exercise is crucial to help them grow up strong and healthy.
“Physical activity has multiple benefits, all of which include improved heart health, bone health, their weight status, decreasing depression and improving sleep, just to name a few,” Davidson said. “But as they continue to get older, it’s important to instill those habits in them… if we can instill healthy habits early on, maybe we can reduce their risk for chronic disease as they continue to get older.”
