Physical Fitness

“The early years are critical not only to the development of motor skills but also to the development of a disposition for regular activity. As educators we must realize that physical activity patterns developed during childhood tend to last throughout adulthood” (Goodway,J. & Robinson,L. 2006). Physical fitness is important for the following reasons:

·         It reduces the chance of childhood and adult obesity.

·         It develops important gross motor and locomotor skills.

·         It reduces developmental delays.

·         It reduces other health risk such as childhood diabetes.

·         It promotes a child’s feelings of competency.

According to the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008, 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 years old are obese.  Among those, preschool children ages 2 to 5 have seen an increase in obesity from 5% to 10.4% since 1980 (CDC,1996). These children not only suffer from developmental delays in their fundamental motor skills but are also at an increased health risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Furthermore, it has been found that children who are overweight at any time as preschoolers are five times more likely to be obese as adults (Robertson, 2010).

The question is now, how can we as adults combat childhood obesity? The first step is recognizing that a child is overweight. This will help limit the use of behaviors that may lead to obesity (Robertson, 2010) Then, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education suggest engaging young children (ages 0-5) in daily physical activities that promote fitness and motor skills (Goodway,J. & Robinson,L., 2006).

The SKIP program (Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers) created at Ohio State University is a great resource. It focuses on the development of a child’s fundamental motor skills and promotes a child’s positive perception of their physical competence. In this program, fundamental motor skills that include locomotor skills (running, galloping, skipping) and manipulative skills (catching, throwing, kicking) are seen as the ABC’s of movement. According to research children become proficient in these skills during the early stages of life.

However, these skills are not automatically learned. They must be taught and reinforced by parents, educators and other adults that are important in a child’s life. Including movement as a part of the learning process is a great way to make it a natural part of a child’s daily routine. A good example is to combine literacy and movement with books that encourage interactive participation. Books that ask children to imitate various movements or dance are great choices for early childhood environments. Using songs such as those created by artist like Greg and Steve, Hap Palmer and Jim Gills are fun ways of teaching children those fundamental skills while encouraging movement and music appreciation.

Another way to encourage healthy physical behaviors is to provide preschool children with at least 30 minutes of organized physical activity and one hour of unstructured active play every day (Roberston, 2010). Allowing children to go outdoors gives them the opportunity and space to practice important motor skills and increases their creativity and ingenuity through play.

Educators can also increase a child’s exposure to healthy active behaviors in the classroom with the creation of activity centers that promote the use of motor skills. Setting up a safe area (in the classroom) that encourages the use of locomotor and manipulative skills (climbing, crawling, rolling, catching) is an example of this.

The bottom line is obesity is a major and growing issue in modern times. There are numerous resources and activities that can be incorporated into our regular everyday routines that can improve our overall health both as children and adults. Adults should start by modeling these positive active behaviors and the entire community “should be part of the solution” (Goodway,J. and Robinson, L.,2006).
REFERENCES

Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education. Fourth Edition Belmont,CA: Wadsworth.

DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services). 1996. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Online: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm .

Goodway, J. D., & Robinson, L. E. (2006, May). 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