How to Provide Fitness Opportunities to Daycare Children

Fitness is so important today, even for children. We, as childcare providers, are in a perfect position to provide the children that we care for with opportunities to stay fit. In doing so, we help to foster good exercise habits in children that will last a lifetime.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1-4 exercise videos for children
• Yoga mats, 1 per child (optional)
• A place to walk
• A place for water play
• A playground
• A water bottle for each
• child (optional)
• Basketball (optional)
• Bat, ball and gloves (optional)

1. The first thing that you will want to do is to take stock of the free fitness opportunities in your community. Look for:
   
   * Places to safely walk with the children.
   
   * Places for safe water play. Our playground has a sprinkler system. A pool should have a certified life guard on duty at all times that you are there.
   
   * A Playground. This will provide you with play equipment and, in some areas, paths to walk on, basketball courts and a grassy area to play on.

2. You will want to purchase some videos to have on hand. These are considered tax deductions for your business, as long as you keep the receipts. They can be found on Amazon.com and Half.com at reasonable prices.
   
   Even if the children get a lot of outside exercise during good weather, you will need something for them to do on rainy and cold days. Having at least a few videos on hand will allow you to mix things up a bit.
   I chose the following videos for my daycare fitness program:
   
   * Family Yoga with Rodney Yee, Donna Fone * Kids (Ages 3+)
   
   * Byou: The Hot New Dance Workout Featuring Sabrina Bryan from The Cheetah Girls
   
   * Hip Hop Shop
   
   * Classical Pilates: Kids & Young Adults (No equipment necessary. Ages 5-17)

3. Consider purchasing a mat for each child in your care, as well as one for yourself, if you will be purchasing a pilates or yoga video. This is on our wish list. They are also tax deductible, and can sometimes be found on Amazon.com. These are great if you have heard floors.

4. Purchase a water bottle for each child, as well as one for yourself. I try to always have these on hand. I usually purchase them at a dollar store. Our wish list also includes wraps for the water bottles with a handles, to keep the drink cold and allow the children to carry them without using their hands. These are also tax deductible.

5. Make a fitness plan, or not. On most days, during good weather, you will likely be outside at some point. In my childcare home, we walk to the playground almost every day. This is a three mile trip both ways. That is a good workout on its own. Then the children can play on the equipment. There is also a sprinkler system set up there, which the children are free to use. When they play in the field, I walk around the tarred area surrounding it. I can easily hear them and keep an eye on them while they play baseball, tag or other games.
   
   On other days we may walk to a closer playground where the children can swing and play basketball.
   
   Nature walks are also great ways to get in some exercise. The children can explore nature for something different.
   
   On specific days, or as back-up, you can schedule in a fitness video. Mats are helpful but not necessary. You can schedule specific videos for certain days, or let the children decide.
   
   You can set up a schedule in different ways, if you choose to have a schedule:
   
   * Mondays, Yoga. Tuesdays, Dance...
   
   * Walking and other outdoor activities during week 1, dance during week 2...
   
   We usually play it by ear.

6. Speak with the children about the fitness program. Ask them if they have any questions and suggestions. Show them your enthusiasm.

7. Speak with the parents about the fitness program. Ask them if they have any questions and suggestions. Show them your enthusiasm. You may want to send a flyer home with them as well, explaining the benefits of fitness programs for children.

8. Incorporate the fitness program into your daycare life. Shoot for fitness on a daily basis. Make it fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Invite the children’s families for a fitness picnic once a month during good weather. Make it on a day that you have off, so everyone can come. Encourage them to park at your home and walk to the park with you. Encourage healthy lunches, each family bringing their own. Have them bring something to do: Frisbee, baseball equipment, a football, etc.
• You could bring a picnic lunch for everyone on your walks. A lunch box or paper bag can be filled with food for each child. These would also be tax deductible.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the parents to provide water bottles and lunch boxes for their children.
• Be sure to check with the parents before allowing any child to join the fitness program. While most children can safely be in a fitness program, some children may have health issues that would interfere with their ability to participate. Parents can tell you these things. You can also ask them to speak with the doctor or get a note from a doctor if you feel the need to.

[amylaine]

on 6/3/2008 Great ideas.