Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is an essential piece of early childhood growth and development for young growing children. Physical movement helps children progress in the gross and locomotor skills they need to build and move properly (Goodway & Robinson, 2006). Physically active children are also more likely to be healthier and have better cardiovascular health than nonactive or obese children. Regular physical movement and exercise are two of the most successful ways to help children suffering from obesity. Which can both pose a threat to a child’s life.

The more you can get children up and be moving the healthier their development and growth of muscles, heart, and bones (editor, 2018). Physical activity is also essential to promote emotional socialization in children. The children will learn to play together exercising their minds and imaginations playing games together.

Five reasons why physical fitness is essential to children:

·         Physical Fitness helps children rest and sleep better.

·         Physical fitness aids in high self-esteem and socialization skills

·         Physical movement allows children to grow healthy bones, muscles, healthy weight and healthy hearts.

·         Physical fitness helps with the development of improved posture, gross motor skills, and locomotor skills.

·         Physical fitness contributes to children being able to focus and learn in school.

Children are learning a multitude of developmental skills during early childhood. One developmental ability they start learning is participation in sports and physical activities. How to run, jump, and participate as an athlete. Games of kickball or tee ball are great sports for children in early childhood education programs. Parks and recreation organizations are usually in every town. Get children interested in games early. Another developmental skill is socio-emotional skills. Children learn the skills to work as a team during physical fitness. They socialize with other children and learn problem-solving tasks as a group. 

Physical fitness doesn't just exercise the body it also exercises the brain. Helping children use and develop their critical thinking skills as they learn different activities (Robertson, 2016). Mazes and obstacle courses built for younger children is a great way to work as a team, exercise the body and make the brain exercise as well.

Early childhood programs should offer different physically active learning skills help children grow and develop. “Physical activity in childcare should be spontaneous and intentionally planned.” (editor, 2018) Let the children use their imaginations remember they are not just exercising their bodies they are exercising their minds as well.

The school, my grandson, attends has a quote hanging in their gym it says, “The Human body is the best picture of the human soul.” ` Ludwig Wittgenstein. This quote couldn’t be more accurate with physical fitness and healthy eating. Taking care of your body and teaching young children early to take care of their bodies will help them long into adulthood.

References

editor. (2018). Physical Activity in Early childhood. Retrieved from Healthy Kids eat well, get active: https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/teachers-childcare/physical-activity.aspx

Goodway, J., & Robinson, L. (2006). SKIPing toward an Active Start Promoting Physical Activity in Preschoolers. Beyond the journal; young children on the web.

Robertson, C. (2016). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Schilling, T., & McOmber, K. (2006). Tots in action on and beyond the playground. Beyond the journal: YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE WEB.

Wit & Wisdom. (2016, February 20). The Week, (1061), 21.