Archive for July 2011
Gymmie Says: Get an Active Start
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has developed Active Start guidelines to support it’s position that all children from birth to age 5 should engage daily in physical activity that promotes movement skillfulness and foundations of health-related fitness. The guidelines reflect the best thinking of specialists in motor development, movement and exercise about the physical activity needs of young children during the first years of life.
Gymmie thinks that the best way for children to learn movement skills is through play and having fun. Movement skills should be discovered through play as much as possible, especially for those children under 6 years old. However, some movement skills need to be taught. Employ teaching methods that help children learn while having fun. Why? Children naturally enjoy being active, so if physical activity continues to be enjoyable the foundations are laid for an active, fit life.
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Gymmie says:
Gymmie is looking forward to summer and lots of time to play. Please mom, dad, nannies, and camp counselors give me time to explore and play outside. Teach me new skills but let me have some free time, too. Since we can go outside more, can we play with messy stuff like sand and water?
Children learn through playing. Some of their best learning comes from experimenting and trying new things. Children need time to explore a playground or the outdoors or build an obstacle course inside on a rainy day. They will learn by doing. However, children also benefit from guidance. A child may see the monkey bars on the playground but not know how to start playing on them. With a little help and encouragement, that child can add a skill, lessen their fear, and have more fun on the playground.
Introducing Gymmie
Gymmie is a character that promotes fun physical activity and play for all children. Through play, kids build active bodies and active minds. Gymmie shares ideas for simple stretches, skills and activities that build motor ability, body awareness, strength, flexibility, and control. Gymmie wants children to develop FUNdamental Movement Skills by the time they are 6 years old, so they enter school with an active start on a healthy and fit life.