Physical Fitness

Physical Fitness

            Physical fitness is so important to young children. Young children should participate in physical fitness at least 60 minutes each day (Robertson, 2010). By participating in physical fitness, young children will reduce the risk of becoming overweight, reduce blood pressure, lower the risk of diabetes, and help to maintain a sense of well-being (American Heart Association, 2012). Additionally, the positive impact of engaging in physical activity as a child will carry on into adulthood. This will have an affect on the future health and well being of the child.

            Preschool children are learning many developmental skills at this stage of development. Locomotor skills such as running, jumping, and skipping are important motor skills learned during the early years and are used throughout life (Goodway & Robinson, 2006). Physical activities during the preschool years will help to develop the vital locomotor skills. In addition to locomotor skills, young children are developing manipulative skills. Manipulative skills are skills that use the hands or feet to move objects (Goodway & Robinson, 2006). When children play with balls to throw or kick, they are gaining manipulative skills. Finally, young children are also developing fine motor skills. Fine motor skills use the fingers and hands. Activities include writing, drawing, and cutting. Fine motor skills are developed using physical fitness by learning to control the small muscles in the hands.

When Children Do Not Engage in Physical Fitness

Children who do not engage in physical fitness can suffer from obesity, health and social problems. Children who are not physically active are more likely to become adults who are sedentary.  Implications from obesity include health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, joint problems, sleep apnea, and shortness of breath (Kids Health, 2012). In addition, children who are overweight are more likely to experience social problems than their peers. Children who regularly participate in exercise have a better sense of self-esteem and better look on life (Kid’s Health, 2012). The reason for having a better outlook on life is the endorphins the brain releases when you exercise. Endorphins are a chemical known to help with better moods (Kid’s Health, 2012).

Adults Can Help

Adults are fundamental factors in helping children develop good fitness habits. Parents should encourage fitness and movement from the infant stage and continue on throughout childhood. Children need to see parents make exercise a priority and this will help to instill good fitness habits in the child. Additionally, parents need to play with children. Play is great exercise.

Early childhood professionals are also important in instilling good fitness habits in children. Childhood professionals should be able to provide a safe place for young children to be active on a daily basis. Planning and implementing a daily schedule that includes the recommended amount of physical fitness is a way to ensure all children have the opportunity to get moving (Robertson, 2010).

Fun Fitness Activities

A fun way to incorporate physical fitness into the preschool classroom is dance. This activity will help to build gross motor skills and coordination. To get started, a CD player with a CD and an open area are needed. Simple dances such as I’m a Little Teapot or The Wheels on the Bus will encourage dancing and uses language skills as the children sing (Holecko, 2012).

To help children develop fine motor skills, modeling clay or play dough activities are very effective. When children are rolling and shaping the clay, the muscles in the hands and fingers are strengthened. This will help the child to be able to use writing tools and to perform more difficult tasks as fine motor development progresses (Buxamusa & Mahoney, 2012).

Inspirational Quote

            My attitude about fostering children’s healthy growth and development is that I wish to be able to help each child in my care to grow to his or her fullest potential. I hope to have a positive affect by encouraging healthy nutrition and physical fitness. I hope the tools I give to children now will carry on with them throughout their lives and help them to live a long and healthy life. I love working with families and the community to give each child the opportunity to succeed. My personal quote that I draw inspiration from an African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child.

References

Buxamusa, L. & Mahoney, A. (2010). Activities with fine motor manipulative. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Ready_Fine_Motor/?page=2

Holecko, C. (2012). Physical activities to build your preschooler’s gross motor skills. Retrieved from http://familyfitness.about.com/od/preschoolers/a/grossmotorskill.htm

Goodway, J. D., & Robinson, L. E. (2006, March). SKIPing toward an active start: Promoting physical activity in preschoolers. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200605/GoodwayBTJ.pdf

Kid’s Health. (2012). Kids and exercise. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercise.html#cat20740

Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.