Physical activity and health promotion in the early years [electronic resource] : effective strategies for early childhood educators / Edited by Hannah Brewer & Mary Renck Jalongo.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Intro; Foreword; Why Be Concerned About Young Children's Physical Activity?; What Is the Contribution of This Volume?; Audience for the Book; Organization of the Volume; Conclusion; References; Contents; Part I: Foundations of Physical Activity and Health Promotion in Early Childhood; Chapter 1: Foundations of Physical Activity and Health Promotion in Early Childhood; Cultural Shifts in Daily Physical Activity; Physical Activity Defined; Unstructured Physical Activity; Structured Physical Activity; Physical Activity Guidelines; Sedentary Behavior. Early Enjoyment of Physical Activity and Lifelong Health; Children's Cognitive Health and Development; Children's Physical Health; Children's Well-Being; Early Childhood Educator's Role; Summary; References; Chapter 2: Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and Academic Achievement; Part I: Motor Skills, Executive Function, and Academic Achievement; Relationship Between Motor and Cognitive Development; Links Between Fine Motor Skills and Academic Achievement; Improving Fine Motor Writing Skills; Connections Between Executive Function and Academic Achievement; Improving Executive Function. Interrelationships; Part II: Psychiatric Disorders Involving Motor Skills; Developmental Coordination Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Other Psychiatric Disorders and Toxicity Problems; Summary; References; Chapter 3: Early Childhood Education Environments: Affordances for Risk-Taking and Physical Activity in Play; Introduction; Levels of Physical Activity in ECE Settings; The Role of Adults in Supporting Physically Challenging Play; Physically Active Play in Childhood; Physical Activity and Risk-Taking; Affordance Theory; Eleanor and James Gibson. Heft's TaxonomyKyttä Bullerby Model; Assumptions About Environment; Affordances in ECE, Future Directions; References; Chapter 4: Viewing Children's Movement Through an Ecological Lens: Using the Interaction of Constraints to Design Positive Movement Experiences; Ecological Perspective; Applying an Ecological Lens: Constraints; Rate Limiters; Body Scaling; Providing Active Movement Experiences; Three Areas of Movement; Locomotor Movements; Manipulative Movements; Non-manipulative Movements; Conclusion; References. Chapter 5: The Importance of Physical Literacy and Addressing Academic Learning Through Planned Physical Activity; Barriers to Learning; Physical Literacy; Movement and Learning; Movement Categories; Motor Skills; Manipulative Skills; Body Management Skills; Rhythmic Movement Skills; Student-Centered Classroom; Integrating Movement into the Classroom; Organizational Considerations; Instructional Cues; Grouping Strategies; Space and Body Awareness; Assessment; Summary; References; Part II: Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies that Promote Physical Activity and Health During Early Childhood.

This book focuses on improving well-being among young children. It provides a theoretical base explaining why physical activity is important, and offers practical strategies for increasing health and well-being in early childhood settings. It takes ancient wisdom on the mind and body connection, applies it to the youngest children, and supports it with current empirical and international evidence with an eye toward improving wellness across the lifespan. The many topics discussed in the book include children motor skills, movement, interaction, physical literacy, the use of video games, dog ownership, developmental delays, as well as strategies to improve physical activities in the classroom and broader contexts. In recent years, children health has become a priority worldwide. Topics such as screen time sedentary behavior and childhood obesity have become important issues everywhere- in the news, in schools, in community and commercials settings, and among health care providers. Limiting sedentary behavior, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a nutritious diet are three fundamental needs during early childhood. Preschool years are a time when children begin to explore the world around them, and develop more vivid understandings of their surroundings. As this book shows, the early years may be the best time to teach wellness concepts and assist young children in establishing healthy lifestyle habits.