Exercise for Kids : Fun and Healthy Activity

I love the way how my daughter's kindergarten teacher tell the kids how to do the exercise, they told the kids (about 3 to 4 years old) to walk on the balance beam, then jump, enter a tunnel, do the tire jump, up to the trampoline, entering the mushroom house, walking with big shoes, entering pool full of colorful balls, take one ball (depend on what the teacher told them), jump on the toy car, and throw the ball into the basket. After those activities, they could enter the tent and play. Hosh..seem pretty exhausting for me as an adult but the kids love it very much. They look never tired and they still got their energy to sing along and do another activity.

I agree with those activities, because kids and preschoolers really need such kind of exercises to keep healthy and fit.  But not only just move around and active, all the movements have to be trained, and sometime the kids movements need to repair. Sports not just make our kids healthy but can also develop fine motor skills. You can not just choose any sport activity, but also to consider the kid's age and their condition. The most important thing is let the kid think that this is fun and cool. They have to enjoy the activity and not feel burdened by it.

If your kid don't want to exercise, don't push him/her. Kid develops certain skill at different age of stage. Stop comparing your own kid to another. As long as their growth are normal and on target, let them learn according to their own ability.

Some children are reluctant to do the exercise because they fear to fail. And some are easily frustrated. As parents and adults, we can give them encouragement.

For little kids age 2-3 years old, the unstructure sports such as running, swinging, climbing, and play with sand and water are suitable for them. At the age of 2 years old, children are able to jump with one or both legs and they love to run. At the age of 3 years old, they are able to change direction from right to left, from back to from easily.

Generally, children are not ready to join in a structured exercise or engage in activities full of competition. When children are reluctant to join in a particular sport (for whatever reason), do not be forced them. Try to find out the reasons. I think it's okay to postpone the activity if necessary, and try it again in a few days or few weeks later. As parents and adults we can accompany the children during each activity.

On these stage of age, usually, the kids are able to roll a big ball, catch the ball, and ride a tricycle. Some kids start to learn how to swim or other complex exercise but not programmed or scheduled.

Whatever the sport is, the child should be happy. If the child is not happy, ask why and try to solve the problem or find another sport which is preferred. This is important if the child wants to do sports structured. Later the child who is depressed because they have to compete, could have formed a negative attitude toward the sport or injure himself (as always trying to please others).

As parents and adults, we can make sure that the children do not scheduled too much. It could make the kids stress and not good for their growth. We may prepare all the necessary things like the security such as : safety elbows, knees, or helmets, when they are cycling. Make it a habit.

Many have mastered skills like marching, balance exercise, climbing, swinging, hanging, rolling, turning, and many more. The kids are used to play with ball. Let them play freely and without any strict rules. This activity involves coordination and agility.
 
We can make sure the kids to have fun and enjoy themselves.

• Sport is the best way for kids to practice socialization and physical exercise and to keep fit.They could have fun and healthy.
• Improving physical health and be a base of their health in the future. Kids who are active in doing some exercises have an early start of a healthy-life habit. This is great to protect the kids from sedentary diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and many more.
• Maximizing the basic motor skills. The age of 4-5 years, children have mastered basic motor skills, such as walking, running and jumping, though not so perfect. Then, kids need to exercise to maximize the basic motor skills
• Healthy growth.Sports play an important role in the growth and development of children. With regular exercise, the heart and lungs will stay healthy, their posture and balance will be good, and their muscles or bones will be strong.
• Prevent the obesity. Obesity is dangerous not just for adults but also for kids.

Just make sure that during the exercise, the kids are happy and have fun. The kids may have the exercise 2 until 3 times a week I think. Consume a healthy foods and snacks, and take enough rest. Ask your pediatric if the kids need some special care like kids with diabetes or autistic kids. Doctor knows best. Pediatricians will evaluate the young kid’s exercise level and sedentary activity level.

I know as parents, we are all sometime feel tired after long hours of work, but if we invest our time to at least play and do the exercise with our kids about half an hour until an hour a day, it really worth it.