Physical activity is an essential part of your child’s growth and development in their pre-k years. That’s why the best preschool makes a robust physical education program a central part of the curriculum, even for youngsters. What are some of the key benefits your little one can gain from quality physical education in preschool? Let’s explore this in more depth below.
Developing Motor Skills
Your pre-k child’s body is rapidly growing, and their muscles and coordination are still developing. Physical education helps improve their balance, spatial awareness, and control over body movements through fun activities like running, jumping, climbing, throwing, catching, and kicking balls. Mastering gross motor skills and fine motor skills gives your child confidence in their own abilities.
Staying Active
Young kids naturally have what seems like boundless energy, and the best preschools give them productive and engaging outlets to burn off energy and stay active. A strong physical education program provides at least 30 to 60 minutes per day of supervised active playtime, per SHAPE America. This constant movement helps your child regulate their energy levels and even helps them focus better in the classroom
Trying New Activities
The pre-k years present the perfect opportunity to introduce different games and physical activities that get your child excited about moving. A top pre-k program has a wide variety of equipment and lesson plans to expose kids to soccer, tee ball, relay races, obstacle courses, scooters, hopscotch, hula hoops, parachute games, and more. Finding activities they genuinely enjoy now fosters an active lifestyle!
Social and Emotional Growth
Physical education class isn’t just about fitness and skills. The best preschools also use physical education to nurture social and emotional development. Taking turns, being a good sport, cheering for classmates, resolving conflicts over rules, listening to their coach, and working as a team all help your child learn about cooperation, fairness, empathy, and respect.
The highest quality preschools understand how critical robust physical education is at this age for the whole child: mind, body, and character. Look for a curriculum that allows plenty of time, resources, and encouragement for your little one to grow strong, build coordination, and foster healthy habits. According to Statistic Brain, 25% of schools in the U.S. are private schools, so consider sending your kiddo to a quality pre-k program today!
