Physical activity for children is high on the official agenda, as Joyce Reid reports, while our cut-out-and-photocopy guide will help you explain the reasons why to parents
Many children today, it is widely recognised, do not get as much physical exercise as they need. There are many reasons - fewer children now walk to school or nursery; parents are reluctant to let children play outside on their own and do not always have time to accompany them to the park; television and computers provide ready entertainment in the home, while parents themselves lead a more sedentary lifestyle. If the parents are not physically active, their children are not likely to be either.
Researchers believe that the decreased levels of physical exercise are an important factor in the rising levels of obesity seen in young children. A recent study showed that around 14 per cent of girls and 10 per cent of boys aged four to 11 are now overweight.
Overweight children are likely to become overweight adults, with all the associated health problems. Patterns for a healthy lifestyle are laid down early and, fortunately, a host of official initiatives have sprung up to get children active. On 11 January prime minister Tony Blair announced a sports package worth 1 billion, which will see every child being offered at least two hours of games a week, and sports assistants working alongside the new sports co-ordinators in schools. In Scotland the National Physical Activity Taskforce will be established in the spring, bringing together all the agencies concerned with improving physical activity levels in the population.
The Active Primary Schools project in Scotland stresses the importance of daily physical activity in primary schools. Also running in schools is Top Play Top Sport, which provides sports equipment specially designed for young children - for example, small tennis racquets and soft balls - along with resource packs for teachers showing them exciting, adventurous ways to use the equipment.
It is important that teachers know how to use the equipment properly and feel comfortable with it. Sport Strategy in England is looking at increasing the number of competitive games played in schools. And nurseries can ask their local early years development and childcare partnership for help in providing ideas for physical exercise.
The Government is encouraging all nurseries to have outdoor activities, which are seen as an essential part of children's physical and mental development. Nurseries can link up with private companies such as TOP Tots, aimed at children from 18 months to three years old, TOP Start for three- to five-year-olds, and Tots in Sport and Tots in Music, which can provide good ideas for physical activities. These groups can also give valuable information on how to include children with disabilities, for whom physical exercise is also vital. Sport Scotland's mantra is 'More People, More Active, More Often'.
In Fife, which promotes a baby exercise scheme through health visitors, the slogan is 'Start Early and Stay Active for Life'. In England the Department for Education and Employment's message is 'Physical activity promotes essential skills such as balance, locomotion and manipulative skill.'
A parent's guide to children's exercise
