Kindergarten children are active, curious and generally eager to learn. Teaching a 5- or 6-year-old child to enjoy fitness activities may help her avoid being one of the over 30 percent of American children who struggle with obesity. As you work with kindergarten-aged children, keep the fitness activities fun and enjoyable by stressing the improvement of skills rather than the winner of the game or activity.
Balance Activities
A kindergartner's ability to balance is still in the developmental process, as a child's balance does not stabilize until after age 10, according to a publication by Iowa State University. Improving his balance will help a child when he throws balls, stands on one foot to reach for an object or lands from jumping for a toy or during a game. Begin the activity by placing a small piece of construction paper on the floor for each child. Ask each child to stand on the paper with both feet on the floor. On your call, tell the children to pick the right foot off the floor and place it on the left ankle. Count to 10 and repeat with the other foot. As the children improve, ask them to balance as they walk along low balance beams or step from one bean bag to another.
Dancing for Fitness
Kindergarten children enjoy moving, dancing and jumping. Put on music and teach the children how to move their arms, legs and upper bodies in time to both fast and slow music. Spread the children around the room, so as to avoid one child running into another. Turn on the music and ask the children to follow you as you move from one movement to another. Begin with lifting your arms up and down in time to the music. Next, ask the children to march in time, then jump from side to side with the music. Have the children keep their feet together and move their hips in a circle while holding their arms out from their bodies.
Relay Racing Activities
Racing involves running or walking quickly, which elevates the children's heart rates and improves each child's cardiovascular fitness. Organize different relay racing activities for the kindergartners to participate in, varying the activity each week. Begin with teaching the children the basics of a relay race. Explain that one child must finish her turn before the next child in line can run out and back. Vary the activity by asking the children to walk forward and backward during the relay activities, hold a rubber ball, skip, hop or balance a small pillow on their heads while running.
Parachute Activities
Large, colorful parachutes can make a kindergarten child forget he is exercising and moving his body. Use a large parachute with attached handles to make holding the parachute easier for small children. Ask each child to stand up and hold a handle in both hands. Throw three rubber balls into the center of the parachute. Show the children how to shake their hands up and down to move the balls around. Have the children walk, then run while holding the parachute tight and keeping the chute off the ground. Ask the children to hold the parachute down to the floor, then jump up high to make a mushroom with the parachute.
References
- Trust for America's Health: F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future; Jeffrey Levi, et al.; June 2010
- Iowa State University Extension: Growing Up Fit; Allan Rupnow, et al.; March 2000
- University of New Mexico: The Effects of Music on Exercise?; Len Kravitz, Ph.D.
- "Unplugged Play"; Bobbi Conner; 2007
- Tukwila School District: Kindergarten Fitness
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