Preschool Programs and Resources Introduction

Transcription

1 Introduction In a recent international study of preschool age children s physical activity levels, research suggested that nearly half of preschool-aged children do not engage in sufficient physical activity. Current recommendations suggest a minimum of 60 min of physical activity per day. Furthermore, as with other age groups, boys participate in considerably more physical activity than girls. It is clear from this systematic review that nearly half of children studied are not meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Therefore, effective interventions that promote and foster physical activity in children are necessary, especially in females. (Tucker, Patricia) In Canada this issue is partly being addressed by the Canadian Sport 4 Life (CS4L) movement which looks at the importance of physical literacy and fundamental movement skills in early years. The idea behind physical literacy is this: if we give children the opportunity to do the right physical activities at the right time in their development, more of them will enjoy getting active and stay active. To acquire complete physical literacy, children should learn fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills in each of the four basic activity environments: On the ground the basis for most games, sports, dance and physical activities. In the water the basis for all aquatic activities. On snow and ice the basis for all winter sliding activities. In the air the basis for gymnastics, diving and other aerial activities. Toddlers and preschoolers need to learn fundamental movements skills before they re ready to learn the more complicated skills required in structured activities and sports. The best way to help children learn fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching is to give them lots of opportunity for unstructured play in environments that are rich in opportunities for physical activity. Gyms, multipurpose rooms, playgrounds and open, outdoor spaces are where children can practice things like running and jumping, swinging and climbing. Recreational programming for preschoolers is taking into consideration the fundamental movement skills philosophy and developing programs that focus on active play and social interaction. With many provinces introducing all day kindergarten, recreational facilities will need to develop more programming for younger children to offset the loss of participation by 4 and 5 year olds in traditional day programs. Two other trends relating to children were highlighted at the 2011 National Recreation Summit: the increasing need for children to connect with nature and to have 1

2 opportunities for unstructured play time. (Presentations included in the list of resources). The resources included in this report offer a broad range of examples of early years programming across the country. Also included are websites, blogs and other online resources that can assist the recreation practitioner in providing quality programming for those in the 0 to 5 age range. Bibliography Tucker, Patricia. The physical activity levels of preschool-aged children: A systematic review. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Volume 23, Issue 4, 4th Quarter 2008, Pages Preschool Programs Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability Provides an extensive listing of inclusive programs and programs especially for preschoolers with disabilities. On the home page, just search on preschool in the search box. Active Kids Toolkit Program: New Brunswick The Active Kids Toolkit Program is a training and resource opportunity for all who work with, or care for, young children 0 to 5 years. The program in its entirety involves training for community members and related organizations as they fall into three categories which represent the three environments in which we find young children: Large for Licensed Daycare, Medium for Community Day Care Homes, and Small for families. The Toolkit materials are multi-purpose, safety inspected, inclusive and designed to support appropriate, quality physical activity and motor skill development for children. Bookmates Alphabet Soup in Motion Based on Bookmates' the award winning Bookmates Alphabet Soup program adds a physical activity twist. The program engages families in active play concepts through the love of reading, rhyme and song with an emphasis on family eating. This is an In Motion initiative Farm to Preschool This is a National initiative in the U.S. Preschool children are active learners who experience the world through their senses, physical involvement, active play and from 2

3 behaviors modeled by adults and peers. Research shows that the preschool years are a particularly sensitive period in the formation of life long habits and taste preferences. Nutrition education at the preschool level can prove instrumental in influencing the development of healthy eating habits while developing kindergarten readiness through hands-on activities in the areas of science, math, art and literacy. Research indicates that when students learn where food comes from, how it is grown, have hands-on experiences, and use their senses to understand it, they are more likely to taste new food items and accept them as part of their diet and build a foundation of lifelong healthy choices. The web site lists many related programs that focus on nutrition and activity. Juice Festival for Children and Young People (U.K.) A world class celebration of the creativity of children and young people (aged 0 18), promoting Newcastle Gates as a vibrant cultural environment for children, young people and their families. A wide range of delivery partners help to deliver the artistic programme, ranging from Dance City to the Baltic. Jump, Jiggle and Jive This fun and interactive session is for little ones and their caregivers. There are active games, singing, parachute fun, music and more! Kids at Play: Gross And Fine Motor Control Development for Young Children caters to children from 3 to 6 years old. It focuses on the development of fine and gross motor skills through group play. It helps in developing independence while still co-operating with partners. It enhances peer relationships, releases tensions, advances intellectual development, increases exploration and the chances of children speaking and interacting with other children. Mini Dragons Taekwon-Do For Ages 2-5 Parents and Tot Program Parents and tots program for ages 2 & 3 * Increase attention span and listening skills * Children learn through play * Start Character Building early * Children learn from their first teachers mom and dad. * Classes begin and end with a game * Mommy and Me : (18-42 months) Dance Class Dance class setting designed to encourage creative movement through music and games while spending quality time with Mom. On The Grow Family Fit Centre 3

4 On the Grow is an indoor playground located in Bayers Lake. For parents with children 6 months to 6 years, keeping their little ones active is a challenge many are facing today. To see the benefits of OTG in action, one needs to spend a short time observing the children who come into the centre. There are no programs or classes, there are simply the toys, equipment and the atmosphere for children to play freely, and play they do. Salsa Babies - Latin Beat For Tiny Feet! With the little ones snuggled into baby carriers, new moms learn basic steps to popular Latin Dances, while babies shake maracas and bounce along to the Salsa beat. Salsa Babies offers a great workout, a chance to socialize with other parents, and an opportunity to introduce one's child to music and movement. Sporty Mom & Me Aquafit This program was designed for Mothers and young babies up to age 3. It involves an hour Aqua fit class with the baby seated in a Dolphin Floater. Sports for Kids Examples of programs offered by this private agency for Daycares and Preschools include: Yoga: Children will participate in dynamic movements, breathing exercises, postures, imitation and play as a means of improving flexibility, strength, listening skills and self-awareness. Gymnastics: Children will learn about body position and spatial awareness while exploring various gymnastics movements and equipment. Movement and Games: Children will discover enjoyment through movement activities and games that focus on specific locomotor skills. Soccer: Children will learn basic soccer skills while developing gross motor skills. Active Games: Children will engage in various games aimed at having fun and increasing each child s endurance, strength and comfort level in a group game setting. Wiggle, Giggle and Munch There is a handbook and CD available as well. Wiggle, Giggle & Munch is a drop-in program that offers parents and their toddlers and preschoolers two hours of active play and a healthy snack. The program is designed for families who face multiple barriers families who, for any number of reasons, are least likely to have access to resources about physical activity and healthy eating. City of Brampton Preschool Programs 4

5 A wide range of programs from years, many of which focus on physical activity. There are parent and child programs as well as on their own programs and full year activities. Examples include: Jumping Jack Splash, Bowling for Toddlers, KinderGym and Little Dribblers. Town of Caledon Preschool Programs These programs focus on building language, social development and problem-solving skills early and will help children adapt and establish patterns that will carry them through life, as well as being active. City of Edmonton Multi-activity Pre-school Programs A long list of programs with the emphasis on active play. Some examples include salsa tots and babies; skip, sing and strings; mumbo jumbo; and, active together. Free Preschool Programs from the Interlake School Division, Manitoba: Programs include (and there are more that have less physical activity): Baby and Me Yoga Wee Be Jammin Movement Xploration Preschool Party Town of Cornwall PEI Preschool Programs Including: On My Own This program is designed to assist children ages 3-5 years in experiencing independence, social interaction and learning. The On My Own program has been designed with a different theme each week to stimulate your child s learning. Sports for Tots Children will be introduced to a variety of fun sports and games to participate in with lots of little friends. This is a fun way for children to participate in physical activity without the fear of failure. Zumba-tomic With the Zumba-tomic program, kids have a blast, get focused and get fit. TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre in Spruce Grove AB Has a list of Wellness Programs for young children: 5

6 Choices include (there are several more): Mother Goose in Motion (0-18 months) This class will explore the world of nursery rhymes through active play. be ready to move around and sing! Gym Bugs (3-5 years) Children will develop advanced motor skills in this class as they skip, gallop, and jump in a variety of fun games and activities. Movement outcomes will build on Twisting Toddlers adding throwing and kicking while running, advanced balancing and jumping! Dino-Mite (3-5 years) Come explore the world of dinosaurs! Each week we will uncover a new species and embark on great adventures to learn more about these magnificent creatures! Just Kids Early Childhood Learning Centre There is an extensive list of inclusive programs and programs for children with special needs. Preschool Active for Life Magazine This online magazine covers the full range of child and youth resources for physical activity and the link above has specific articles for the preschool age range. Topics include physical literacy, how to find a quality sport program and specialty programs for preschoolers. 7 Cs: Designing Young Children's Outdoor Play Spaces to Maximize Creativity Discusses the Seven Cs (character, context, connectivity, change, chance, clarity, and challenge) guide for early childhood educators, designers, administrators, and parents. The goal of the guide is to help people design outdoor play spaces that support the development of young children and integrate the unique qualities of playing outdoors. Presentation from the National Recreation Summit Gymnastics Ideas for Preschoolers (aligned with the Livestrong Foundation) Preschoolers have an abundance of energy, and gymnastics lessons can encourage and channel this enthusiasm through fun activities that support development of mental 6

7 and physical discipline and control. Gymnastics activities help preschoolers develop strength, flexibility and skills of balance and coordination. Physical activities also support development of children's cognitive, language and socio-emotional learning. Ophea Ophea s Healthy Schools and Communities offers a wide range of tools and resources to help build healthy communities. The Resource Database is fully searchable and has many preschool resources and tools. The Activity Idea Bank also includes great physical activity ideas for preschoolers. Preschool PE Lesson Plans (web site) Although these are lessons intended for kindergarten and younger children in a school setting, there are great activity ideas, organized with specific goals in mind. Brochures on Preschool Physical Activity (Alberta Centre for Active Living) This is a listing of brochures from a variety of sources, but focused more for parents and child care providers. How to Teach Preschool Fitness: Videos Learn how to teach a variety of fun physical education activities with preschool children using hoops and other equipment. There is also a video on a typical class. Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years English - French Guidelines, definitions of what active means in these age groups, benefits of physical activity, and tips for caregivers Sport New Zealand Active Movement for Ages / Includes brochures, videos, a play gym, Active Moving in Water resource, and a parent guide Moving to Learn that makes the connection between movement, music, learning, and play from birth to three years and includes a 67-track CD of original songs, rhymes, and finger plays. 7

8 Nova Scotia Health Promotion Active Living for Early Childhood booklet Nova Scotia Health Promotion developed this resource for child care operators and staff, in cooperation with the Early Childhood Development Services section of the Department of Community Services. Its purpose is to encourage child care staff to help young children of Nova Scotia lead an active lifestyle to enhance health. The resource provides suggestions and recommendations that may assist you in developing programs and methods to encourage children to increase their physical activity at child care centres. Physical Activity in the Early Years Discusses the benefits of physical activity, includes The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) guidelines, and provides examples of infant, toddler, and preschool activities, as well as safety considerations, and inclusion considerations. Fun and Physical Activity: For Families and Caregivers of Children 0-4 Toronto Public Health This 20-page booklet will encourage parents and caregivers to make physical activity a good habit from the earliest years. The booklet illustrates exercises that adults can do with very young children. Human Kinetics Human Kinetics has a variety of resources for those who work with preschoolers.. The site allows you to search by key word making specific resources very easy to find. You can also browse by category In the preschool and elementary section there are over 70 resources to choose from. Mothers in Motion (CAAWS) Nutrition and physical activity resources for mothers and their newborns through preschoolers. Best Start Nutrition and physical activity resources for families and young children. Physical Literacy for Preschoolers It s All About Me Me Me!... A Multi- Movement Approach to Teaching Preschool Recreational Activities 8

9 This presentation from the 2009 Recreation Nova Scotia Annual Conference, focuses on the importance of multi-movement learning opportunities for preschool-aged children to promote Physical Literacy and examines the different teaching styles that can accommodate learning styles and developmental stages of preschool-aged children in a child-centred recreational learning environment. BabyCentre BabyCentre is an interactive blog that includes resources and videos on everything to do with children 0 to 5 years in age. The link above brings you to a list of resources in a variety of media to do with physical development. Kids In Victoria A comprehensive listing of physical activity programs and services for children in the Victoria Island area. This blog also contains articles and resources of interest to parents and recreation program providers. Kid-Fit PE Classes for Preschoolers A selection of instructional videos and activity ideas for instructors working with preschool children. Some videos incorporate equipment in a fun and interactive way. All the resources are free to use. Canadian Sport for Life Active Start (Age 0 to 6) Physical activity is essential for healthy child development during the critical first six years of life. The Active Start stage of LTAD addresses these early years. Learn more about activities for Active Start: Find out why Active Play is so important Normal childhood development of fundamental movement skills Why should you encourage different types of play? What role do adults play in all this? Find out the milestones for children in the first three years of life Find out the milestones for children from 4 to 6 years old 9

10 Where do the Children Play? The Significance of Natural Environments This presentation, from the 2011 National Recreation Summit, defines play, looks at it from a child's perspective, and discusses the importance of spontaneous free play and access to nature. 1 0