Importance of physical activities to children

Explain what can happen when children do not engage in healthy fitness activities. Be sure to consider the impact on children of being overweight or obese, including implications for health and self-esteem.

            Taking part in physical activity provides a lot of benefits to children and adolescents. It has been found that engaging in regular physical activity helps children to develop their health and well-being in addition to reducing their chances of developing diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, blood pressure or heart diseases. Similarly, studies have found that children who do not actively engage themselves in healthy fitness activities are highly likely to become overweight, have weak bones and muscles, develop type 2 diabetes, and have lower blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels (Robertson, 2012).

            Children who do not engage in healthy fitness activities have high risks of socio-emotional problems such as increased incidences of anxiety and depression, and low self-esteem as a result of being overweight. Studies show that children to do not engaging in healthy fitness activities are less likely to block distract themselves from negative thoughts and worries, which contributes to low self esteem and not easily socializing with others (Robertson, 2012).

Indicate how adults can help children develop good fitness habits. Describe at least two activities, such as specific games or movements, which are appropriate and enjoyable for children of this age. At least one of the activities should involve gross-motor (locomotor) skills, and another should involve fine-motor (manipulative) skills. Remember, the activities you recommend should be developmentally appropriate, which includes noncompetitive.

            There are various ways that adults can assist their children to develop good fitness habits. They can increase daily fitness activities by making various changes in their children’s daily routine. For example, they can teach children to walk or cycle instead of using the car to school, getting off a bus, train or tram earlier and walking the rest of the distance home. Adults should limit the time children spend watching television and take breaks to play or move around. Parents can also schedule weekend play days where a child’s friends visit to play outdoor games such as kicking a ball, playing game of tag, throwing and catching a ball or skipping a rope. Parents can help children develop healthy fitness activities by giving children fitness-oriented gifts such as hula-hoop or mini-trampoline, which encourage movement. Parents can encourage fitness in children by making domestic chores fun. Singing silly songs and making funny faces and movements with children when washing dishes or cleaning the house are some the ways to encourage fitness and making chores fun. Parents can finally encourage healthy fitness activities and lifestyle by being role model of fitness such as following a structured fitness program. This will inspire and encourage children to do the same (Robertson, 2012).

Based on your readings, include at least one inspirational, thought-provoking quote that captures your attitude and/or philosophy about fostering children's healthy growth and development.

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. – John F. Kennedy

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. – Plato

For your fact sheet, draw on the information in the fitness articles from this week's Required Resources and your own research to provide evidence about the positive impact that physical activity has on children's health, both now and in the future. 

            According to Robertson (2012), health and well-being and physical activities should comprise the daily routine of children.  Research shows that obesity has the capacity to compromise the immune system and ability to fight infections and disease among children who do not engage in healthy fitness activities. However, it is easy o avoid obesity than correcting it (Robertson, 2012). Building blocks activities help children to develop competence in their movement skills (NAEYC, 2006). It is important to ensure that preschoolers have at least 60 minutes of unstructured healthy fitness activities daily and not sitting for more than one hour without engaging in a physical activity (CYFERnet, 2013).  It is important that preschoolers have indoor and outdoor space that meet or pass the required safety standard to allow children engage in gross and fine motor skill activities (NAEYC, 2006).

References

CYFERnet (2013). Keeping kids active in the winter months. Retrieved             from http://www1.cyfernet.org/hotnew/01-12-activekids.html

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2006, May). Resources for    encouraging good nutrition and physical fitness. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on        the Web. Retrieved fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200605/ResourcesBTJ.pdf

Robertson, C. (2012). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA:             Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.