Physical Fitness

While children are growing, physical fitness plays an important role as they are developing their fine motor, gross motor, and locomotor skills. Physical activities such as running, jumping and skipping can help build these motor skills in children by enhancing endurance, coordination, and strength (Robertson, 2007, p. 267). Kids who are active will:

* have stronger muscles and bones
* have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
* be less likely to become overweight
* decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
* possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels (Gavin, 2009)

First and foremost, inactive children are more likely to become inactive adults. Children are also more likely to become overweight or obese, which can lead to high blood pressure and low levels of heart protecting cholesterol. Studies have even shown that inactivity can lead to cigarette smoking (“Children’s,” 2010). When children are inactive they become weaker and their endurance levels are lower, causing them to be more likely not to try new activities or not finish an activity that they may think is too hard. Not being able to endure challenges and activities as other children cancan damper a child’s self-esteem, leading to depression and even eating disorders, which will only increase obesity and health risks (“Children’s,” 2010)
Adults can help children develop good fitness habits by limiting the amount of time they spend watching T.V. and playing video games. Parents can also help their children by becoming more active themselves (Gavin, 2009). A game of hop scotch enhances both fine and gross motor skills. The child has to use chalk to draw the board on the ground, and they are hopping on both feet and balancing on one foot. Setting out time for play-dough is simple, inexpensive and fun. Children are building fine motor skills as they shape and sculpt whatever they come up with in their imaginations.
“The Greatest Wealth is Health” (Gavin, 2009). His quote captures my attitude about children’s health because if we allow them to remain sedentary, they will become obese and have many health problems, which costs us parents time and money. In America, we are barely keeping up with the costs of health care and medications. Keeping children healthy will decrease health costs not only as children, but adults.
One positive impact that physical activities have on a child’s health would be their willingness to continue being physical. Since children are concrete thinkers, they focus on here and now rather than the health aspects of exercise; which makes them more willing to endure new challenges as they relate to them as play (“Children’s,” 2010). As children become more confident while mastering certain physical activities, they gain a boost of self-confidence that can help them mature in areas of school work where they may lack. Such instances include raising their hands to answer a question or either for help (Gavin, 2009).





References

Children’s need for physical activity: Fact sheet. (2010) Retrieved from http://www.americanheart.org
Gavin, M. (2009). Kids and exercise. Retrieved from http://www.kidshealth.org.
Robertson, C. (2007). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.