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Kids In Action: Fitness for Children - Preschoolers

Source: President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Topics: Early Years (Birth-5), Fitness for Elementary School Aged Children
 
Preschoolers  
   
Heel Raises (Fig. 9)
Lifting and lowering the heels is a strength-training exercise even the youngest children can do. It also helps with balance.
  • Stand facing your child.
  • Hold hands.
  • Slowly lift and lower your heels, encouraging your child to do the same thing at the same time.

Also:

  • Pause each time you rise onto tiptoe, counting aloud to five.
  • Instead of just raising your heels, you and your child can jump (two feet) or hop (one foot) lightly in place.
  • Try all of these activities both slowly and quickly.
Mother and preschool daughter raising their heels
Fig. 9
   
Beanbag Balance (Fig. 10)
When it comes to balancing activities, this is an all-time favorite for children.
  • Place a beanbag or a small, soft toy on your child's head.
  • Invite her to walk from one point in the room to another without dropping the beanbag.
  • If she has to, she can hold on to it at first.

Also:

  • Ask her to balance the beanbag as she walks both slowly and quickly, in different directions (forward, backward, or sideward), and in different pathways (straight, curving, and zigzagging).
  • Invite her to try balancing the beanbag on other body parts, like a hand, shoulder, or elbow.
Preschool girl balancing a bean bag on her head
Fig. 10

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