When you’re the parent of a young child, you pretty much have no choice but to learn how to stay physically and mentally alert. From the moment that they wake up in the morning and hit the ground running, it seems like they just can’t wait to get their hands (and feet and everything else) into all kinds of things.

Yet, did you know that by encouraging that kind of behavior, it will actually prove to be quite beneficial for them? That’s why we wanted to take out a moment to share with you just five of reasons why keeping your kids physically and mentally active can be one of the best things that you can do, for them, as a parent.

Physical activity makes their hearts and lungs strong. Your heart is a muscle and so it needs to be exercised just like any other part of the body. And as far as the lungs, well, the more of a workout that they get, the more oxygen they receive which helps the body to expel other gases such as carbon dioxide much quicker. And while a child is growing and developing, they definitely need their heart and lungs in tip-top shape.

Mental activity develops motor skills. If you’re looking for some toys to get your child that will help to develop their motor skills, there are many that are out on the market. Building blocks, pattern recognition games, musical instruments, even something as simple as magnets on a cookie sheet are all effective tools to help a child to concentrate more and do things in an easier way.

Physical activity keeps their weight under control. Here’s a startling statistic: Over the past thirty years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. And when a child is overweight, it puts them at risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and even several types of cancer. This another reason why keeping them active is so important. It helps to keep their weight under control.

Mental activity “grows their brain”. It’s a wise man who once said that what exercise does for a person’s body, reading does for our minds. And while doing things like watching Sesame Street and Baby Einstein comes with its own advantages, there are many studies to support the fact that reading stimulates the mind, expands one’s vocabulary, reduces stress, improves one’s memory and also helps to better develop focus and concentration.

Physical activity helps their emotional well-being. A lot of people probably do not attribute emotional stability to physical activity but they are definitely connected. That’s because when we all tend to feel much calmer after we exercise, that can help us to feel less emotionally anxious which lowers our chances of experiencing confusion, fear and/or depression. So, as you can see, having an active child, while challenging, can also prove to be a huge benefit as they grow and develop into young men and women. For more information on how to keep your children active, visit PBS.org and put “keep kids active” in the search field.