U.S. preschoolers are not busy little bees

Preschool-age children should get 120 minutes per day of physical activity, according to the National Assn. for Sport and Physical Education. About half of those minutes should be structured and half unstructured. Clearly, adults need to lead structured activities and encourage children to play on their own as well. Early childhood educators, however, have placed a sharp emphasis on school readiness, such as preparing young children to begin reading. But, ... Full Story »

Posted by Dale Penn
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Subjects: Education
Topics: Early Childhood
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Posted by: Posted by Dale Penn - Feb 6, 2009 - 2:07 PM PST
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Edited by: Dale Penn - Feb 6, 2009 - 2:07 PM PST

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Kristin Gorski
3.4
by Kristin Gorski - Feb. 8, 2009

All too brief in its treatment of the importance of physical activity in pre-schoolers. The article just begins to share insights into what 3-5-year olds are really doing during recess and school play.

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Dale Penn
3.0
by Dale Penn - Feb. 6, 2009
See Full Review » (1 answer)
Terrie Rose
3.1
by Terrie Rose - Feb. 8, 2009

Indicating that all children do not receive enough physical activity, the description of the problem is based on children in center-based childcare. What about after-center activities, children who are home full-time or in family, friend or neighbor care? And what is the evidence that young children are overweight?

This article brings attention to a national bias towards school-based learning for very young children. Measures and expectations for literacy activities for 3 and 4 year olds prevail, often replacing free-play and reducing gross motor activities to 20 minutes in the gym or playground. A call for unstructured outdoor play has been made by child development specialists but in the age of high-stakes school testing, largely unheard.

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