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In the new Exchange book, Child Development: A Beginnings Workshop Book, Dr. James Poole makes these comments on the importance of having fitness be a key part of every early childhood curriculum:

“Preschool children are active by their very nature. They tend to have an inherent drive for motor activity. In looking at the behavior of young children, notice how they explore their environment, go to all corners of the room or playground, achieve physical closeness, and enjoy communicating with others. These are all essential for proper cognitive, emotional, and physical development. When we allow children to run, play, and explore in a safe environment they will naturally get all the large motor activity that they need.

“Television and computers obviously decrease the amount of time children are up and playing, either indoors or outdoors, and increase the likelihood of eating calorie-rich snack foods. There is a definite genetic link or predisposition to obesity. The recently discovered obese gene makes it imperative that families having problems with weight look at their diet, activity level, and exercise level to control obesity. Overweight children are more likely to experience depression, low self-esteem, and medical problems. Child care teachers can encourage healthy eating habits at the center and at home. Limit the amount of juice (two servings per day), fatty foods, and sugar given to the children and encourage children to drink water. Water still remains a wonderful source of liquid....

“... There is no evidence that physical training during the preschool years accelerates or enhances a child's future sports performance. However, the preschool years are very important for motor development. The acts of running, throwing, catching, kicking, hopping, jumping, and climbing are all tasks learned through a child's natural activity. As they mature, learn by trial and error, perform tasks repeatedly, do not compete or compare themselves with their peers, and have supportive adults, children will naturally learn to accomplish and perform.”


Exchange has compiled our curriculum articles written by leading experts in the field into a series of seven practical textbooks covering key topics such as literacy, child development, music and movement, behavior, play, brain development, math and science. This week you can purchase all 7 books at a major discount.

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