Why are many children not reaching the recommended 3 hrs physical activity requirements per day?

It’s shocking that latest statistics say that most under 5’s spend around 70% of their day sitting down. 

It no secret that in adults a lifetime of sitting can lead to a higher risk of early death, type two diabetes, and heart disease. And while the evidence is still limited when it comes to children’s health, there is certainly an argument that, as sedentary behaviour habits are formed early in life, targeting children is a logical step in creating healthy behaviours.

Why get active?

Regular physical activity is an important part of getting healthy and staying healthy. Encouraging children to be active from a young age sets good habits early on and helps them develop the skills they need to stay active throughout their lives.

A physically active child is a healthy, happy child that has:

·        healthy growth and development

·        better self-esteem

·        stronger bones, muscles and joints

·        better posture and balance

·        a stronger heart

·        a healthier weight range

·        positive social interaction with friends

·        ability to learn new skills while having fun

·        better focus and concentration during school

How can we help children be more active?

Firstly be a good role model and have a positive attitude to being active. If your children see you enjoying physical activity and having fun, it can motivate them to participate. Of course, many early years practitioners already lead an active ‘playtime’, and many more may only need to tweak their teaching practice a little to create a more active environment.

How can you make daily improvements to ensure children are being more physical active and in turn becoming better learners?

Here at Sporty Minis, we use the to encourage active play at younger ages to develop healthy habits, enjoyment of physical activity and physical literacy skills.

Try our ‘Activity Breaks’, here are our top 5!

Try one every day next week and let me know how you get on:

1.   Pyramid counting fun

Perform 10 reps of the below exercises followed by 9, 8, 7, >>>>1, High knee taps, Jumping Jacks, Heel flicks, Floor touches. Be sure to give out high fives when done!

2.   Copy Cat

1 leader gets to perform different movements around a specific area. You can theme this to your them of the week. Animals, space ships, modes of transport etc

3.   Magic Shoes

The children call out ‘What have you got in your shop today?

The shopkeeper replies with:

Scissors (children perform jumping feet apart and together)

Bendy Cards (children lay on fronts on floor making waves with their bodies)

Rocking chair (children sit on bottoms holding legs in and rocking forward and back)

Let the children use their imaginations it’s great to see what they come up with

The game continues like this until the shop keeper answers : Magic Shoes – all the children race to sit down crossed legged

4.   Jumping Galore

Children use their imagination and move around the space jumping like the following animals. Once they have practised at least 1 min for each animal as the children to pick their favourite jumping animal. Discuss which animals they think are faster jumpers and which animals are slow but get further distances Kangaroo, frog, Bunny, Spider, Dolphins, dogs, horses, cats,

5.   Pair practise

In pairs children hold hands side steps for 10 steps in each direction, they then walk forward and back wards for 10 sets, repeat until they have done 9, 8, 7 ——1.

SportyMinis helps early years settings, practitioners and children every day with a fundamental movement and physical development skills programme. We are offering a Free consultation and taster sessions for children for settings based in London and Surrey.

If you would like more information about how Sporty Minis can help your setting meet the highest standards for health and well being in early years, please get in touch.

marnie@sportyminis.com 02037739120