As a Mom of four, I always have my fair share of interesting holiday shopping experiences. This year, when sent to the Build-a-Bear store, to “create” that perfect bear for my daughter, I was reminded of all the important choices parents have to make while raising their children. What preschool is best for my child? What playground has the safest equipment? What brand of toothpaste is best for their developing teeth? The same choices and considerations should be made about where to take your children to help them develop a physically fit, healthy lifestyle. This brings me to my Build-a-Bear story:
Consider a child’s physical development as a construction in progress; with you, the parent as the ultimate architect. The architect must include a foundational base that provides a variety of activity pillars that will ultimately support a lifestyle of health, fitness, and confidence. As the architect, you do have the choice of how, when, and where to fulfill these goals.

The “blueprint criteria” for developing a physically fit child can begin as early as the infant and toddler stage. A great age to begin a developmental movement program is at age 18 months. The best programs will most importantly include age appropriate activities. These should stimulate tactile growth, engage the vestibular system (or “balance system) and include body control, spatial awareness, coordination, body awareness, and motor movement.

18 Months – 3 Years  Movement Programs: It’s vital to recognize a child’s developmental and physical strengths, even in this beginning, early phase of growth, so that he/she will feel a sense of  accomplishment when a skill or task is achieved.  This is when confidence begins to build and self perception begins to bud.  On the other hand, it is equally important for the program to recognize a toddler’s weaker attributes so that these areas are not overlooked in their progressive development and ultimately improvement can be gained and physical imbalances avoided. 
Too often, I see parents pushing their children beyond their physical limits with the fear their child not being able to keep up with the rest of their class.  But it is very important to acknowledge that children develop at different rates with the individual tasks that are set before them.  For example, I may have a child that is quite successful walking across a balance beam but is not as successful tracking a balloon or ball into their hands.  This particular task of age appropriate vs. developmentally appropriate curriculum design is most challenging and it is critical that both go hand in hand.

Preschool ages 3 – 4 Years Movement Programs: This is the growth stage where children begin perceiving themselves as individuals; independents in their environments. This is the age where kids can and should learn cooperative skills along with their physical development.  Good programs will teach lessons that are both physically and cognitively age appropriate.  If the activity is too structured and doesn’t allow for flexibility and variance in the lesson plan, children will become frustrated, bored and uncooperative.  This is a great age to explore a world of creative movement through imaginative play, locomotor skills, animal walks, ball handling, and introduction to game rules and boundaries. 

Elementary ages 5 – 9 Years Variety Sports Programs: This is a great age to introduce children to a variety of ball handling activities; throwing, catching, kicking, running, jumping, striking, etc.  Proper body mechanics should be taught, so that a child can actually experience the feel for each sport skill and the success that good biomechanics can bring.  This is an age where the seed of sports and fitness is planted, eventually creating a deeply rooted passion for a particular sport or activity.
Parental guidance, participation and motivation collectively pour the foundation of support toward building a future athlete, a love for a particular game or activity and for developing a healthy and active lifestyle.

Ages 10 - 18 Years:  Today, an increasing number of children are participating in one specific sport rather than changing sports with each season.  Proper body mechanics are essential for optimum performance.  The best athletic programs will offer strength and flexibility training to compliment their sports skill development programs.  This will create muscular balance and a strong core; both will support healthy postural alignment, enhance power, agility, range of motion, and ultimately better athletic performance.
Key components for anyone who desires to raise and “construct” a healthy and physically active future for their child is to introduce & expose them to as many physical activities as early as possible.  Parents make the best role models for their kids.  Those who participate in an active lifestyle with their children have the most powerful tools to influence and “build” a physically fit child.