Physical Fitness

         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