Normally, preschoolers, by default, would not need any special encouragement when it comes to motivating them for physical activity. However, this is not always the case since there are up to 14% of children aging from 2 to 5, being overweight. Note that these numbers were barely 5% during the 1970s. Basically, obesity and excessive body weight are being a more and more common scenario and something needs to be done in order to change this for the better. Naturally, motivating your child towards physical activity is one of the best steps you can take.
Exercise Plan for Preschoolers
Speaking about children who are from 3 to 5 years old, they should spend about an hour a day on structured physical activities. Additionally, the same amount of time should be invested on unstructured physical activities and not more than a single hour should be dedicated to sedentary activities. Of course, sleeping is an exception. In case of toddlers who are 1 to 3 years old, the rules are the same, with the structured physical activities reduced to half an hour a day.
Putting Plans to Action
When we mention structured, we mean well-planned and specifically designed exercises which boost certain aspects of physical fitness in the child. Therefore, taking into consideration that preschoolers go through a period when they need to boost their motor skills, they need exercises which improve running, catching, throwing and other such activities. Even though many believe that kids can pick up on these skills on their own, this is not quite true. Namely, you need to show them the basics upon which they can learn. Otherwise, there are great chances that their motor skills will never be developed to the fullest.
Taking into consideration that parents are the most important role models in their children's lives, they need to show the exercises adequately and give the necessary information to the child by playing with him/her. Positive reinforcement is required, along with constructive feedback. Also, the toys need to be age-appropriate. Keep in mind that children in this age are not ready for team-based sports. So, if you are taking more of them out, make sure that each child has his/her own set of necessary equipment.
Techniques for Preschool Physical Activities
First of all, playing tags or simply chasing each other will prove to be more than beneficial. In order to step out of the monotony of mere running around hectically, make children hop, dance or waddle instead of just chasing. Catching the ball is another great exercise, especially if you experiment with many different balls. Additionally, you are advised to try swimming or other activities involving water. Tricycle or scooter riding are both great alternatives. Finally, dancing and finishing an obstacle course can prove to be great activities for your child's fitness.
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