Physical Activity Skills

The Importance of Physical Activity in Early Childhood

In 2018, UCLA researchers used the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to determine whether California adolescents were getting the recommended amount of exercise (60 mins/day). The study found that only 31% of children aged 5-11 were meeting the recommended amount of exercise and as children got older, this percentage of children decreased.1 By introducing physical activity in early childhood, we can increase the likelihood of children staying active throughout their lifetime.2 The curriculum kits listed below can be used to promote physical activity in early childhood settings. These activities help improve children's development by increasing their movement skills, language, and self-confidence.2

Physical Activity Curriculum Kits: 

  1. My Daddy is a Pretzel
  2. We Like to Move

 

 

 

 

 

1. Babey SH, Wolestein J, Diamant AL. Few California Children and Adolescents Meet Physical Activity Guidelines. UCLA CENTER FOR HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH. 2018: 1-7. http://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/publications/Documents/PDF/2018/physicalactivity-brief-sept2018.pdf

2. Crumbley CA, Ledoux TA, Johnston CA. Physical Activity During Early Childhood: The Importance of Parental Modeling. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2019;14(1):32-35. doi:10.1177/1559827619880513