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ABU DHABI, 4th July, 2022 (WAM) — A common concern among parents at this time of year is how to keep their children safe, as most schools are closed or poised to close for the annual summer break, a local newspaper commented. Stay involved.
“For many, the path of least resistance is usually to get the iPad into the hands of young people and let the kids binge on cartoons, video games and boxed shows for hours, but UAE parents do have many other better options. choice,” The National said in an editorial on Monday.
On the one hand, physical activity is a great way to keep young people busy in a productive and wholesome way. Unlike looking at a screen, playing a real game on the court can pay huge dividends in the long run, especially when it comes to fitness – for adults and children alike. Numerous well-known studies link physical fitness with long-term health and positive effects on the brain.
However, the paper adds that globally, there is a wide gap between the benefits of physical activity and the few adolescents who get enough exercise.
In 2019, the World Health Organization found that more than 80% of schoolchildren globally are “inactive”. An extensive survey of 1.6 million participants showed that most did not meet the current recommendation of 60 minutes of “moderate to vigorous” daily physical activity. In the UAE, the survey found that only 18 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds get enough exercise.
Nor did this trend of largely global inactivity improve during the peak of the pandemic.
It continued: “Given that parents are often at a loss to find ways to channel their children’s plentiful energy, the many sports facilities offered for free at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre are one of the best options for parents and children in the capital.
“Other emirates also have a plethora of summer sports facilities for kids and parents would be better off introducing their kids to these. In many of these facilities, all it takes is a green status on the Al Hosn app to clear your COVID-19 .”
Just like inculcating the habit of reading in early childhood, introducing them to physical activity early on can benefit them for life. Parents can improve their children’s chances of overall growth because they usually make sure to make time for sports. In addition to fitness, exercise has other benefits. It fosters social bonds and can impart some valuable life skills: respect, patience, teamwork, the rewards of practice, hard work, and the values ​​of fair play, all of which come in handy later in life.
More families can think in this direction, encouraging girls and boys to play soccer or throw a basketball, or learn to swim, or swing a racket—and importantly, stick with it so they can experience the satisfaction of their stamina or technique improve. Other than that, it’s a boon for the country and the entire region, as it will control lifestyle diseases like obesity.
Once young people start enjoying a sport, they no longer need to exercise and a worthy battle is won. The sports experience is a solid cornerstone for people of all ages. While it’s never too late to start, it’s wise to seize on their young old creed.
For Emirati parents looking to keep their kids busy during the summer, taking advantage of the country’s many top facilities should be the first stop.
“There are countless benefits to pushing children in the direction of sport,” the Abu Dhabi Daily added.
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