Why is physical activity important in preschool?
- Physical development and health
- Gross motor skill development
- Fine motor skill development
- Practice coordination and balance
- Cognitive development
- Social and emotional growth
- Improves sleep
- Builds healthy habits
Guidelines for physical activity in early childhood
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ages 1 to 4 get a healthy mix of active play each day:
- At least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity: This is all about free play, so kids take the lead and decide what to do independently.
- Around 30 minutes of structured physical activity: These activities are planned by adults and can include guided games, exercises, or simple sports.
What to do when kids resist physical activities
- Make it fun by introducing physical activities as games or imaginative play. For example, playing freeze-tag, playing a dancing game, or pretending to hop like a frog can make movement feel less like exercise and more like fun.
- Allow the preschooler to choose the activity to give them a sense of autonomy.
- Participate in physical activity with your child. When adults engage in active play, children are more likely to join in and enjoy the experience.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine. Familiarity helps children feel comfortable and less resistant over time.
- Begin with short, manageable bursts of activity and gradually increase the duration.
- Praise and encourage any effort, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and willingness to participate in future activities.
- Invite other children to join as preschoolers may be more interested in participating when they see their friends having fun.
28 physical activities for preschoolers
- Hopscotch
- Jump rope
- Tag
- Playing catch with a ball
- Basketball
- Football
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Kicking a ball back and forth
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Freeze dance
- Riding a bike, tricycle, or scooter
- Gardening
- Climbing on a playground
- Gymnastics
- Nature walk
- Walk around the block
- Scavenger hunt
- Skipping
- Musical chairs
- Hula hooping
- Hide and seek
- Obstacle course
- Chores
- Pretend play like hopping like a frog or crawling like a bear
- Splashing in the sprinklers
- Water balloon toss
References
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