Blog Details

Why fitness is Important in Preschoolers?

Children today are hooked to their phones and tablets. They barely engage in any physical activity as compared to the olden times when children used to play games out in the streets. The importance of fitness cannot be underestimated.  When a child starts getting fit, his/her immunity strengthens, and the risk of getting sick is significantly reduced. The earlier children begin getting fit, the better it is for them.

Preschoolers are particularly active between the ages of three to five. During this age, their skills of running, jumping, kicking and throwing have notably improved. Ideally, preschoolers should be active for about three hours a day. A fun way to ensure children engage in physical activities is through play. This can be structured as well as unstructured play. Structured play is where the playing is instructor driven and led by an adult having a specific objective whereas unstructured play is playing without a purpose or objective. With play, children can be creative, explore and improvise.

Here’s why fitness is important:

1. Reduced risk of obesity: If children are fit and engage in physical activities from time to time, the accumulation of fat is reduced in their bodies. Exercising burns calories keeping obesity at bay.
2. Better heart health: Lack of physical activity increases the stress placed on the heart, leading children prone to cardiovascular diseases. With physical activity, the heart can pump blood more efficiently and faster. The heart responds to exercise by becoming stronger and healthier.
3. Emotional and mental health: Emotional health is impacted by the physical health of an individual. Exercising releases endorphins and serotonin in the brain giving children a better sense of well-being as ‘happy hormones’ are released.
4. Stronger bones: Lack of exercise leads to a reduction in bone density. Early childhood is the ideal time for children to develop bones and make them stronger.
5. More energy: When children exercise, their blood circulation improves which in turn leads to better concentration, focus, and energy. Children are often hyperactive and exercise helps in balancing their energies.

Mentioned below are ways in which parents can help children become fit:

• Educate them as to why being fit is important. Give them the knowledge regarding how fitness plays a monumental role in all aspects of life.
• Set a good example for your kids to follow. Ensure that they see you making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.
• Exercise together by indulging in physical activities as a family. Activities like hiking, sports like baseball, badminton, or even gardening. On weekends, take a trip to the nearest park and engage in a game of cricket or playing catch or tag.

If the weather does not allow outdoor play, engage in physical activity indoors. These can ensure that children remain active even when stuck indoors. Create a safe indoor play area and then play games in that area. You can play a variety of games like an obstacle course where you create an indoor obstacle course from pillows, boxes, toys, and children have to navigate through it. You can also make your own treasure hunt where you hide treasures in various places around the house and children have to use clues to find them.

Remember, healthy fitness habits formed at an early age make all the difference.