One school of thought holds that parents should encourage their children to spend less time studying and devote more time to physical activities. While I agree with this view to some extent, I would argue that additional time for exercise should primarily come from reducing less beneficial leisure activities rather than study.
Admittedly, encouraging children to devote more time to physical activity can be beneficial. One important benefit is that regular exercise can support their physical health. Activities such as running, swimming and outdoor sports involve sustained bodily movement and give children opportunities to develop their strength, stamina and general fitness. Regular participation may therefore help them maintain a more active and physically healthy lifestyle. Physical activity can also support children’s ability to study effectively. Exercise provides a break from prolonged academic work, allowing children to temporarily shift their attention away from demanding learning tasks. After such breaks, some students may find it easier to return to their studies with greater concentration.
However, I would argue that parents should prioritise reducing less beneficial leisure activities rather than their children’s study time. First, recreational screen use can provide a more appropriate source of time for physical activity. Activities such as watching online videos, using social media and playing video games can occupy part of children’s free time while generally involving little physical movement. Reducing some of this screen time can create opportunities for exercise without taking time away from their studies. Second, substantially reducing study time may affect some children’s academic progress. Studying gives them opportunities to review what they have learned, practise difficult skills and prepare for assessments. If too much of this time is replaced by physical activity, some students may have fewer opportunities to consolidate their learning, particularly when preparing for important examinations.
In conclusion, while children can benefit from spending more time on physical activities, I believe that parents should create this additional time mainly by limiting less beneficial leisure activities rather than reducing study.