In many American towns, Recreation means team sports and activities such as swimming or dance. One activity often missing from local Department of Recreation offerings for kids? RUNNING!
There are multiple benefits of running for kids. As an activity, running:
- Helps increase bone density
- Increases fitness and stamina
- Supports physical and mental health
- Improves coordination
Aside from the direct health benefits of running, kids can benefit from structural, team-oriented running programs by:
- Increasing self-confidence
- Exposing them to goal-setting and discipline
- Increases pride and self-esteem
- Opportunities to socialize and support teammates
We ran our first Run Clinic in the Fall of 2021 in East Longmeadow, MA, and it was an astounding success. We are now in the process of reconstructing the curriculum of this program so that in can be distributed to, and utilizes by, other areas of the country. This includes a deaf school in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. We intend to place this program into the public domain for anyone to access.
Sources:
Healthy Running Kids – How Running Benefits Young Children
Women’s Running – Born to Run – Or are They? Here’s a Guide to Kids and Running
Road Runner’s Club of America – FUNdamentals for Youth Running
Pritikin Longevity Center – Guide to Healthy Running for Kids