Physical fitness is a vital
component for healthy growth and development in young children. Physical
activity helps children in the development of gross and loco motor skills which
helps with movement. Physically fit children are also more likely to have healthy
cardiovascular health. Regular physical fitness is one of the most successful
ways to lower both obesity and type two diabetes, which can both pose a threat
to children's heart health. Physical fitness is important to the healthy
development and growth of the children's muscles and bones. Physical activity
is also important to promote healthy behavior in children, reducing stress and
keeping children calm.
Five Key Reasons
Physical Fitness is important to young children include:
* Physical activity is important to the overall health and
wellbeing of the child.
* Through physical activity young children strengthen their joints,
muscles and bones.
* Physical fitness helps children's self esteem, reducing
depression and anxiety.
* Regular physical activity helps the children focus better in
school contributing to better learning.
* Physical fitness also aids in better sleeping habits.
Physical activity helps children learn the vital
developmental skills appropriate for their age. Through basic fitness young
children can learn motor skills (both gross and loco motor), and manipulative
skills. The development of these skills are important to the healthy balance
and motion of being able to complete tasks. Some examples of the developmental
milestones children should reach at this age include running, hoping, skipping,
and bouncing (Goodway & Robinson, 2006). The basic skills developed through physical activities in young
children are the foundation for everyday activities as well as advanced sports
and activities in the future. Another developmental skill young children are
learning and developing are their social and emotional skills. Physical
activities promotes social interaction between children as well as the adults
involved. During physical activities children work in teams/groups which helps
develop the skills necessary to work with others. While learning physical
activities children are developing their learning, critical thinking and
problem solving skills. While learning how to do the physical activity the
children's brains are being stimulated enhancing their learning ability.
Unhealthy physical fitness can lead to negative health
and developmental problems. When children do not engage in healthy fitness
activities they are at an increased risk for being overweight or obese which can
lead to several chronic illness and poor self-esteem. Today we are seeing a
rise diseases related to lack of physical activity and poor eating habits.
"More
than 12 million children and adolescents are obese, and more than 23 million
children and adolescents are overweight" (Robertson,2013).When
children do not engage in physical activities they are more susceptible to
becoming overweight or obese. Children
who are obese are at risk for developing heart disease and cardiovascular
problems, such as high blood pressure and improper functioning of heart.
Obesity can also cause respiratory problems and sleep disorders. For example
sleep apnea which occurs when the child stops or has shallow periods of
breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can cause other serious health
complications because sufficient oxygen is being deprived from areas of the
body during these episodes. Sleep apnea can have a damaging effect on numerous
areas of the child's health and development. Being overweight or obese can also
lead to muscle, joint and bone problems. The extra weight can put pressure on
the child's joints, and the lack of physical activity can lead to weaker
muscles, and bones. (Robertson, 2013)
Children who do not engage in regular fitness are not only
physical but emotional and social development problems. Being overweight or
obese can have a negative effect on a child's mental health and self esteem. Children
who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to being bullied or teased. Overweight
or obese children commonly suffer from poor body image and self-esteem which
affects their relationships with others. Children who are obese struggle with
being socially accepted and often feel different from their peer making it hard
to feel accepted or develop relations with other children. Not being accepted
or feeling ostracized by their peers, children are prone to misbehave for
attention or succumb to peer pressure to be socially accepted. These children
may experience behavioral problems of rage or aggression, depression, or
anxiety because of the social problems due to being overweight or obese Children
who are not involved in fitness activities do not get the social/peer
interaction that children who are physically active experience. When children
are involved in healthy fitness activities they get a vast amount of positive outcomes that aid in proper
development physically and socially.
Adults can help children develop good fitness habits
through modeling healthy fitness habits. Children learn through observation and
mimic the behaviors they observe. When the adults practice good fitness and
healthy eating habits the children around them learn and want to partake in
these practices also. “The ability to perform a motor skill
depends on the interaction between learner, task, and environment"
(Goodway & Robinson, 2006). Making sure the physical
activities are age appropriate and enjoyable is another vital tool in helping
young children develop good fitness habits. Adults should offer a variety of
ways for the child to do the task so all the children can participate regardless
of their developmental level. Adults can help children develop good fitness
habits by working with them to choose and create activities they are interested
in, and prefer so they are more likely to continue with that physical activity
long term.
Physical fitness is important to the healthy development
of gross and loco motor skills. Activities should be age and developmentally
appropriate as well as interesting so the children associate good fitness
habits with positive experience. An activity to help gross motor skill
development can "rainbow parachute" games, such as see-saw pull,
roller ball, parachute lift, or parachute tag. Another activity to promote
gross motor development can be ball free-throw, there can be different spots so
after they master the first "easiest" spot they move onto the next
spot, this allows children at all different levels to get involved. Activities
that can also promote gross motor can be any fitness activity that involves
hopping, skipping, running etc. Another activity that young children may enjoy
is hop scotch, have the child draw the board as well as play the game. Drawing
the board as well as picking up the "rock" being tossed incorporates
fine motor skill building, hoping to each number promotes gross motor development.
It is important that during all physical fitness activities the adults provide
encouragement and praise the child for their efforts and skills. Adults should
also provide coping strategies to the child if they experience frustration
and/or disappointment when trying to complete a physical activity.
"All it takes to
encourage an active start is a little time and imagination and a commitment to
a healthy lifestyle" (Goodway & Robinson, 2006). ''
References:
Robertson,
C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th
ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Cengage
Learning
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