PHYSICAL FITNESS (#5)

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is so very important for young children for many reasons. Growing children are still building on developing and improving their developmental skills. To improve developmental skills, activities that practice the skill is necessary to master it.

Without physical fitness, a child will suffer from underdeveloped brain growth, weak muscles and strength, tend to be off balance, and will not build immunities to some illnesses. Children will become more prone to serious illnesses like diabetes, osteoporosis cardiovascular disease. (Medical & Life Sciences) Without physical fitness, children tend to become obese and muscles become inactive. Obesity will, in turn, create poor eating habits and malnutrition. Such habits that lead to obesity can also lead to low self-esteem and depression.

The term motor behavior describes all movements of the body, including movements of the eyes (as in the gaze), and the preschooler’s developing control. Gross motor actions include the movement of large limbs or the whole body, as in walking. Fine motor skills include the smaller and more precise movements allowing fine motor behaviors such as the use of fingers to grasp and manipulate objects. Motor behaviors needed for reaching, touching and grasping are forms of exploratory activity (Adolph 1997). Other ways to enhance fine motor skills are playing with Playdoh, writing with sidewalk chalk or even putting puzzles together.

Parents and professionals may have observed young children exploring a slope, such as a slide, by touching it with their hands or feet before they decide whether to slide down it or not. Research by Adolph, Eppler, and Gibson (1993) suggests that learning plays a part in young children’s decision making in physically risky situations, such as navigating slopes, and that exploratory behavior may be a means to this learning.

Gross motor development includes the attainment of physical activity skills such as running, hopping, walking, skipping, climbing, jumping, and dance which can help a preschooler master their gross motor skills. Gross motor behavior enables preschoolers to move and thereby attain different and varied perspectives on the environment. Behaviors such as jumping and climbing present children with new learning opportunities. When preschoolers push a toy stroller or shopping cart, they are also engaging in processes related to cognitive development, such as imitation. The gross motor behaviors involved in active outdoor play with other children are related to children’s development of social skills and an understanding of social rules.

While reading it seems we always cross at least one thing that impacts our thoughts and it just sticks with you. Just one inspirational, thought-provoking quote that captures your attitude and/or philosophy about fostering children's healthy growth and development. I heard a quote said by Mr. Rogers years ago that is always my inspiration for my healthy kids. It is a reminder that play is as important as lessons. Mr. Rogers said, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning”. I believe that even adults can use play to practice what they are learning, especially if you are like myself, where I learn much better by hands-on contact. It is just a great way to learn and communicate.

References

Adolph, K. E. 1997. “Learning in the Development of Infant Locomotion,” Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, Vol. 62, No. 3, Serial No. 251.

Adolph, K. E.; M. A. Eppler; and E. J. Gibson. 1993. “Crawling Versus Walking Infants’ Perception of Affordances for Locomotion over Sloping Surfaces,” Child Development, Vol. 64, No. 4, 1158–74.