Is fitness essential for our toddlers? Yes, it is. Fitness here doesn’t mean going to the gym or weightlifting. Our toddlers gain fitness, fun, and confidence through sports and games. Preschool sports programs serve the purpose of fun and fitness. Kids are too exposed to electronic gadgets these days. The games are for pre-schoolers. They open a field of physical, emotional, and mental health for our tiny tots.
Let us look into the need for preschool sports programs and some sports day activities.
What is Sports Day?
At preschool, sports day is the chance for your toddler to try outdoor games with their friends. It does not give kids an open field to play. It does teach them some core values, a process of learning. Sports day activities make them learn the value of dedication. They also learn about healthy competition, sportsmanship, goal setting, and rules. Preschool sports programs serve the purpose of enhancing physical and mental wellness too.
Importance of Sports Day
We have simplified the need for sports day. We do this by marking it as about fun, fitness, and wellness. Let us explore the importance of sports day in detail.
- Winning and losing
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Improves coordination, motor skills, and overall health
- Following instructions and rules
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Mental health
- Academic success and emotional well-being
Sports day activities and games help kids deal with winning and losing. Games help to develop adaptability, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. They do this instead of holding grudges and fighting.
In the common goal to win the game. Children develop the skill to communicate and create stronger bonds. In this process, they make new friends and create positive social health. They learn how to be in a team, giving mutual respect to the team members. Being in a team makes them share and take turns. It teaches them cooperation and fairness.
Kids face various challenges and obstacles in games. They learn to solve these problems in a stress-free environment. Their friends and teachers give them positive encouragement. This makes it easier.
Sports day activities help to improve the value of coordination among the children. They learn how to coordinate well to achieve a common goal. Joining preschool sports programs helps the pupil. They improve their health and focus on motor skills. Hands-on experiments and exposure will lead to a positive impact on their motor skills. This leads to the improvement of overall health and well-being.
Teachers are likely to give kids some light rules. They do this while the kids play in sports day games. Following them helps your child see the need for rules. They apply at home and outside.
Whether they win or lose. Participating in different sports activities gives them a sense of confidence. Positive reinforcement given to your kids improves their self-esteem. This will lead to their mental and emotional well-being.
Preschool sports programs can reduce symptoms related to attention deficit disorder and anxiety. They can also improve mood and self-esteem. All these lead to mental health.
Improving their motor skills, coordination, problem-solving, and communication abilities leads to cognitive growth. This helps academic success and emotional well-being.
Some pre-school sports programs
- Running race
- Catch and throw
- Caps Basketball
- Balance beam
- Keep the balloon up!
It is a most common sports activity. Everyone might have participated in a running race competition once in their life. Preschool teachers coordinate the running race among students with utmost care. It improves their motor skills.
You might have played it in your childhood as well. It is throwing the ball and giving the ball back. You can play it in a group or with another person. It improves hand-eye coordination. Enhances the idea of sharing.
Two members play this game. Tape the cups to the opposite sides of the sensory board. The organisers provide coloured caps for the contestants. Each member can choose the colour of the caps. Participants have to throw their cap to the cup kept on the other side. It is a fun-filled age-appropriate game for pre-schoolers.
It is simple yet improves body coordination and balance. We used masking tape to draw a line on the ground and instructed the children to walk only through the line. It may not always be a straight line. It can be spirals, zig-zag, and different shapes.
Blow up the balloons. Children must keep the balloons from touching the floor. This will be a fun-filled activity for your young ones.
Impact of parents on preschool sports programs
Parents do play a crucial role in your child’s participation in sports and games. Encourage your child to play many games and sports. Don’t criticise or be overprotective. Try to create a positive social interaction with other parents and kids. Your kid may lose the game. Be there to support them. Make them see that taking part matters more than winning. Explain to them the necessity of sports and games. They value your words.
Preschool sports programs are brought in to make a fun environment for your tiny tots. It is a part of learning. Learning the importance of physical health in a fun-filled way. Making them step into physical activities. This is being introduced to create a positive impact. It will be on their mental, emotional, and social health, leading to wellness.
These programs are not just about sports; they’re about instilling values such as teamwork, perseverance, and fair play. Children learn to communicate, to work together towards a common goal, and to celebrate each other’s successes, fostering a sense of community and belonging. By participating in these activities, they develop a positive attitude towards physical fitness, setting the foundation for a healthy lifestyle as they grow.
While engaging the kids in physical activity, diligent surveillance from teachers is a necessity. We at Kangaroo Kids International Preschool ensure that your kids are safe while having fun. To learn more about our education approach, contact us today!