Early Learning Project
Tip Sheet
Childhood obesity has tripled in just 20 years. Preschool-age children who are inactive risk becoming overweight in the future. The U.S. Surgeon General says daily exercise is a key to being fit. (See Illinois Early Learning Benchmarks 19.A.ECa and 20.A.EC.)
What physical activities can you expect preschool-age children to do?
- By age 3, most children can go up and down stairs by alternating their feet, jump in place, throw overhand.
- By age 4, most children can catch a bounced ball, jump with a running start, pedal a tricycle.
- By age 5, most children can skip, leading with one foot, roll like a log, “pump” on a swing.
What can you do at home or in child care to help young children be physically fit?
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Encourage them to get moving. Make positive comments that focus on effort: “Wow, you zoomed down the slide!” “You almost made a basket!”
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Provide at least 60 minutes a day for active free play. Offer riding toys, balls, beanbags, climbers, balance beams, and obstacle courses. Let children pedal, throw, roll, climb, run, skip, dig, and jump in a safe space until they are tired.
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Plan an hour or more of structured physical activity each day. Families and caregivers can teach creative movement, dance, and game-playing skills. Many park districts offer classes in swimming, group games, or ballet for young children. Classes should focus on skills and fun, not winning and losing. In most cases, organized sports are more appropriate for older children.
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Think about safety. Help children remember hats and mittens during cold weather. In hot weather, see that they cool off in the shade and drink plenty of water. Whatever the weather, help them avoid too much exposure to direct sunlight. If a child has asthma or another condition that limits active play, a health care provider can suggest ways to help the child be active and safe.
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Turn off the TV, computer, and electronic games. Limit “screen time” to leave more time for active play. Experts say preschoolers should not sit in one place or lie down for more than an hour at a time unless they are sleeping.
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Set a good example. Let children see you eating healthy food and being active. Note: Doctors say it is better to talk about becoming strong and healthy, rather than about “being thin” or “losing weight.”
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Exercise together. Try sledding, hiking, gardening, and games like catch or tag. Some preschoolers may enjoy a few minutes of playing electronic games that are based on being active together. Stress cooperation and fun rather than winning.
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Share books that show the importance of fitness. Offer children books about dancers, athletes, construction workers, farmers, and other physically active people.
Check out these resources on children's physical fitness.
- Developmental Milestones
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html - Let’s Move! Active Families
http://www.letsmove.gov/active-families - Make Physical Activity a Part of Your Family’s Routine
http://www.letsmove.gov/make-physical-activity-part-your-familys-routine - Kids in Action—Fitness for Children (Preschoolers)
http://fitness.gov/funfit/kidsinaction/kidsinaction_08.html - Promoting Physical Activity in Children: Parental Influences
http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-3/activity.htm - Motor Development
http://www.ocd.pitt.edu/Files/PDF/Parenting/MotorDevelopment.pdfl - We Can! Fit in Daily Physical Activity
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/activity-log.pdf - SKIPing toward an Active Start
http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200605/GoodwayBTJ.pdf - Tots in Action ON and BEYOND the Playground
http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200605/SchillingBTJ.pdf - Organized Sports and Young Children
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/sports.htm - IEL Ask an Expert: Preschoolers' Nutrition and Fitness
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert/nutrition/index.htm - IEL Ask an Expert: Childhood Obesity
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert/castelli/index.htm
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.