Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and they use it in a more
organized way than when they were toddlers. Instead of just running
around in the backyard, a preschooler has the physical skills and
coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.
Preschoolers are also discovering what it means to play with a
friend instead of just alongside another child, as toddlers do. By
being around other kids, a preschooler gains important social
skills, such as sharing and taking turns. Despite
occasional disputes, preschoolers learn to cooperate and
interact during play.
Helping Kids Learn New Skills
Preschoolers develop important motor skills as they grow. New
skills your preschooler may be showing off include hopping, jumping
forward, catching a ball, doing a somersault, skipping, and
balancing on one foot. Help your child practice these skills by
playing and exercising together.
When you go for a walk, your preschooler may complain about
being tired, but most likely is just bored. A brisk walk can be
dull for young kids, so try these ways to liven up your family
stroll:
- Make your walk a scavenger hunt by giving your child
something to find, like a red door, a cat, a flag, and something
square.
- Sing songs or recite nursery rhymes while you walk.
- Mix walking with jumping, racing, hopping, and walking
backwards.
- Make your walk together a mathematical experience as you
emphasize numbers and counting: How many windows are on the
garage door? What numbers are on the houses?
These kinds of activities are fun but also help to prepare kids
for school.
How Much Activity Is Enough?
According to the 2005 dietary guidelines, all kids 2 years and
older should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous
exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week.
The National Association for Sports and Physical Education
(NASPE) offers more specific recommendations for preschoolers,
saying they should:
- accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity
that's structured (meaning it's organized by you or
another adult)
- engage in at least 1 hour - and up to several hours - of free
play
-
not
be inactive for more that 1 hour at a time, unless they are
sleeping
It's important to limit TV (including videos and DVDs) and
computer time to no more than 1-2 hours per day.
Structured Play
Preschoolers are likely to get structured play at childcare or
in preschool programs through games like "Duck, Duck,
Goose" and "London Bridge." Consider enrolling your
child in a preschool tumbling or dance class.
Your preschooler can get structured outdoor play at home, too.
Play together in the backyard or practice motor skills, such
as throwing and catching a ball. Preschoolers also love trips to
the playground.
Though many kids tend to gravitate toward the outdoors, lots of
fun things can be organized indoors: a child-friendly obstacle
course, a treasure hunt, or forts made out sheets and boxes or
chairs. Designate a play area and clear the space of any
breakables.
Here are some more ideas for structured play:
- play bounce catch
- use paper airplanes to practice throwing
- balance a beanbag while walking - make this more challenging
by setting up a simple slalom course
- play freeze dance
- play wheelbarrow by holding your child's legs while
he or she walks forward on hands
Many parents are eager to enroll their preschool child in
organized sports. Although some leagues may be open to kids as
young as 4 years old, organized and team sports are not recommended
until a child is a little older. Preschoolers can't understand
complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and
coordination needed to play sports.
If you decide to enroll your preschooler in an organized team
sport, such as T-ball or soccer, make sure the emphasis is on
helping your child gain basic physical skills, like running, and
fundamental social skills, like following rules and taking
turns.
If your preschooler is not ready for the team or not
interested in sports, consider focusing instead on helping him or
her continue to work on fundamental skills - hopping on one
foot, catching a ball, doing a somersault, and maybe riding a
bicycle or tricycle.
To teach preschoolers to play baseball, start by teaching them
basic skills, such as throwing, catching, and hitting off a T-ball
stand. Then, if you play a game of whiffleball, don't worry if
your child doesn't tag first base - it's enough to get
kids running in the right direction.
Unstructured Play
Unstructured or free play is when kids are left more to
their own devices - within a safe environment. During these times,
they should be able to choose from a variety of activities, such as
exploring, playing with toys, painting and drawing, doing a puzzle,
or playing dress-up.
During pretend play, preschoolers often like to take on a
gender-specific role because they are beginning to identify with
members of the same gender. A girl might pretend to be her mother
by "working" in the garden, while a boy might mimic his
dad by pretending to cut the lawn.
It's clear your preschooler is keeping an eye on how you
spend your time, so set a good example by exercising regularly.
Kids who pick up on this as something parents do
will naturally want to do it , too.
Safety Concerns
No matter what type of physical activity your child gets,
it's important to keep safety concerns in mind. Remember that
preschoolers are still developing coordination, balance, and
judgment.
So as preschoolers play, a parent's challenge is to
find a balance between letting them try new things and doing what
is necessary to keep them safe and prevent injuries.
- A child on a tricycle or
bike
should always wear a helmet.
- If you haven't done so already, it's time to talk
about street safety, because even the most cautious preschooler
may dart into the street after a ball.
- A preschooler in a
swimming pool
needs constant adult supervision, even if he or she has learned
to swim.
It's a tricky age because kids want more independence, and
should have some, but cannot be left unsupervised. Preschoolers
still need their parents to set limits.
Giving kids safe opportunities to play in both organized and
unstructured ways builds a foundation for a fit lifestyle that
can carry them through life.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: May 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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