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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
The
playground, the backyard, even the living room floor
are arenas where careless giggles, screams of delight
and apparent social upheaval occur on a daily basis
as children exercise their bodies (and their lungs).
Should
we try to stop this civil unrest? Certainly not, for
children need to exercise their growing muscles and
bones. In fact, they should be encouraged to run,
skip, climb, ride a tricycle and swing that swing.
These "fun" activities strengthen their large muscles
and develop their coordination.
Active
play is an integral part of every child care program.
Even when outdoor space is limited there are ways
to keep children physically fit. Dancing, for instance,
includes an array of movements which utilize leg and
arm muscles, and crawling through cardboard box tunnels
works out back and neck muscles. And games such as
London Bridge Is Falling Down can be easily played
in the kitchen or living room with little bother of
moving furniture.
Outdoor
Play
There is no greater setting for active play than the
great outdoors, especially when there is an abundance
of age appropriate toys and equipment. Items such
as:
- balls,
wagons
- skipping
ropes
- pedal
toys
- swings,
and
- low
climbing apparatus are the mainstay of any outdoor
toy repertory. Just
a few basic items can whet a child's appetite for
fitness fun.
Indoor
Play
Bad weather days are no excuse for not exercising.
Given the opportunity children will find plenty of
things to do with large cardboard boxes, old sheets,
and jump ropes. And who doesn't love to "Bend and
stretch, reach for the sky"?
Fitness
Programs
Fitness programs can actually be as much fun for an
adult as for a child. Set to music, simple bending
and stretching routines can be done by children of
different ages and stages. Letting the children take
turns at calling out the exercises helps to get them
involved. Under no circumstances however, should a
child be forced to participate in such activities.
The purpose of these programs is to build a foundation
for a lifetime of physical activity.
Other
Fitness Fun Activities
The list of fun things to do for the sake of physical
fitness is as endless as a parent's or caregiver's
imagination.
- Indoor
and outdoor obstacle courses
- balloon
or beach ball volleyball
- bean
bag toss
- angels
in the snow, and
- nature
hikes both summer and winter are all activities
that will encourage children to have some fitness
fun while they strengthen their muscles, refine
their balance and coordination and build confidence
in themselves and their abilities.
Take
a moment to get involved in your child's care. Ask
your provider about her active play program.
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