The requirement and importance of physical playhow2help children who have limited physical play oppertunities?

Question

how can we do this?

Answer 1

It is important for children to engage in physical activity in order to develop their fine and gross motor skills. Physical activity also helps young kids stay in shape and build strong muscles. Even doing things like coloring and playing with playdough will help kids with important like skills (like writing!) As far as gross motor skills, kids who have difficulty walking or cannot walk often find relief with special chairs that allow them to move their legs while someone else pushes them. They also make special PE equipment for kids (such as basketballs attached to a string on a mit on the hand) that help them participate in sports and games at school.

Answer 2

Requirement:

-In England: It's in both the Birth To Three and the Foundation Stage Curriculum & Every Child Matters Framework. IF setting is OFSTED registered then its part of the National Care Standards too!

Importance:

-Growth or muscles and bones

-Development of bodily functions such as immunity/blood cells.

-Avoids problems such as blood clots, heart problems etc.

-Confidence and Self Esteem

-Learning rules and social development (turn taking, sharing, win/lose, playing with others etc)

-Concerntration and behaviour-need to get rid of energy to be able to settle!

-Fun and stimulting for Early Years it helps children learn other concepts such as spacial awareness, colours, number etc.

-To develop sense of balance and movement.

-Develop muscles to allow child to learn how to grip and manipulatd such as holding pencil for writing.

How to help children with limited opportuntities?

-Have an outdoor area accessible for atleast an hour a day in the setting.

-Simple PE such as trampoline , climbing frame, obstacles courses jumping in and out hoops, balance beans etc.

-Trikes/push cars suitable for age.

-LARGE play such as water painting on walls (stretching up  high not limited by paper), large bricks outdoorsd to build and balance.

-Small skills such as threading, peg and boards, small spoons in the sand tray for the developement of fingers and wrists.

-Go for walk around the school grounds, local community etc.

-Have fun weeks where you encourage parents to WALK with child to school instead of cars, children bring in there bikes for a day etc.

-Music and movements: dancing to action songs, circle games like Ring-o-Roses, part music for energetic dance, or slow music like lullabies for pilates type exercise.

Also always ensure water is available for children esp if they are out in sun, doing a lot of exercise etc. Also time for rest after exercise!

Answer 3

during the 2006-2007 school year, my head start/pre-k counts program went through a training called I am Moving I am Learning.

What a great program! It teaches so many strategies on how to incorporate movement and healthy choices into the ENTIRE day...not just the time you spend outside. here's a good summary i looked up on the program. i highly suggest taking the time to read it:

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region3/...

kids who are overweight tend to not only have the health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but overweight children are much more prone to suffer from depression.  

that's what i love about this program is that it doesn't just stress the importance of getting exercise, it stresses the WHOLE package- eating, sleeping and resting, what to drink, and how to stay active. just getting the kids to do some movement songs throughout the day is a great addition to any schedule. have them run in place, do jumping jacks, play tag outside.

in pennsylvania, there is a certification/rating system for the daycares/preschool called Keystone Stars. To get the highest rating, 1/6 of your day must include outside/gross motor time! so if your day is 6 hours long, 1 hour must be spent outside. that's how long my program is....it seems like a lot. but the kids really do need it. according to I am Moving, I am Learning, there is supposed to be a balance of structured and free choice active play each day.

keep those kids moving!