Practitioners have an important role to play in encouraging children to be physically active from a very early age.
Exercise increases health on many levels and with so many sedentary pursuits now making their claim on children's time, it is vital that they understand why they need to move around.
Exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and increases heart mass. It helps to increase the rate at which our bodies burn calories and can lead to weight loss in those who are overweight.
It is also good for the brain. Aerobic activity helps to increase the number of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, so that messages can be carried more quickly over brain cells. This increases mental flexibility and agility over longer periods of time. An increase in the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain can improve concentration, alertness and intellectual capacity.
In the nursery children need to be given the time and space to play. They will become stronger by taking part in any activity that uses their muscles such as pushing and pulling on playground apparatus, swinging, climbing and other activities such as running and skipping.
In our capacity as health visitor assistants we have supported one of our settings with a project which has encouraged children to be more self-aware about the benefits of exercise.
This six-week project linked to a variety of activities in the nursery. In the home corner we focused on healthy eating and set up an interest table displaying pots of cress and sunflower seeds. The children were told how they needed to be looked after in order to grow healthily. They also observed how plants grew at different rates.
During one session we concentrated on growth and the children were given the opportunity to weigh and measure each other. We explained how enjoying physical play and using energy encourages good growth.
Outside, we set up obstacle courses and the children quickly became skilled at negotiating these. They proved so popular that they turned into a sponsored event. The children also invited guests to musical movement sessions which they directed.
We have found that physical play encourages social skills in everyday activities. Older children in nursery groups have greatly benefited from and enjoyed games such as Simon Says, What's the Time Mr Wolf? relay games, dance and general outdoor running and jumping. All these can be adapted to the individual child's ability, including those with special needs.
For under-ones and children who are not yet walking, floor-play activities can be offered and be followed on with push- and pull-along toys. At an appropriate stage, rolling and reaching activities should be encouraged.
Staff members should be aware that some children lack the self-confidence to take part in physical play.This may cause a child to become disruptive as an opt-out tactic, or to become anxious. Physical play through activities can help to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, when handled sensitively according to the child's ability and emotions.
It's important to encourage enthusiasm for exercise. Implementing a good sleep routine will help children to achieve this. Babies who feed too frequently should be helped to increase their energy levels, so a fuller feed will be taken, rather than a little and often.
If physical play can be built into a child's everyday life, it is more likely to continue into adult life. NW Linda Bartholomew and Cathy Kennedy are health visitor assistants who work for Southend-on-Sea NHS PCT and have set up a project to work pro-actively with 31 pre-schools and nurseries to help with children's healthy development and their smooth transition to school
Positive effects
* Prevention of obesity
* Prevention of heart disease
* Prevention of diabetes
* General feel-good factor helping to prevent anxiety and depression
* Social skills
* Confidence to join in team games
* Promoting motor skills
* Contact the authors at linda.bartholomew@southend-pct.nhs.uk
