Why is There a Need for Physical Activity During Early Childhood

Physical activity has been replaced by modern-day conveniences and 'engineered out of most aspects of daily life'. This poses real and lasting challenges for children growing up in the twenty-first century. To combat these challenges, children must be provided with opportunities to be physically active throughout the day that help them develop motor skills, reduce their risk for chronic disease, understand the relationship between movement and wellness, and develop an appreciation for physical activity. (Brewer, 2018)

Childhood sedentary behavior is a complex system problem that emerged during the economic growth and globalization of the marketplace. Before 1990, movement was more or less engrained into everyday life – walking to school, riding bicycles through the neighborhood, and playing outside until dusk were common childhood activities. In today’s society, meeting physical activity guidelines no longer happens without concentrated efforts. (Brewer 2018)

Imagine a child who loves music and is given permission to listen to headphones while walking around the perimeter of the playground. This child who associates positive feelings with physical activity is more likely to choose walking or other forms of physical activity in the future to reduce stress, or just for fun. He enjoys music and feels good about being able to walk while listening to something important to him. Although he may never reach his target heart rate training zone during the walk, he is much more likely to pick up his headphones and head out for a walk in the future than the child who associates negative feelings with physical activity. (Brewer 2018)