Juicing Is The Path To Health

Warmer weather is just around the corner and many of us are evaluating our diets and looking to make healthy changes. Who are we kidding? We are looking to lose some of those winter pounds that piled on over the last few months so that we will be swimsuit ready!

Juicing and juice detox diets are all over the news and in all the magazines. Everyone is crazy for juicing! I don't care for drinking green stuff but figured I would do my research before deciding to get on the juicing bandwagon. I prefer a great glass of fresh squeezed orange juice but could be convinced to try a juicing diet or cleanse if it would really help me lose weight. The problem has been finding experts that all agree it is great for you.

Proponents of juicing say that the benefits of juicing are that it reduces the risk of cancer, boosts your immune system and can help in weight loss. It is also a great way to get all of your vitamins and minerals during the day. Sounds great, right? Consider the opposing viewpoint.

Opponents say that juicing is not all it is cracked up to be. When you remove the skin from the fruit or vegetable, you are removing the vitamins and other nutrients that is in the skin and the juicer also removes the pulp, which contains lots of fiber. Additionally, opponents point out that if you are juicing all of your fruit, the one thing that stays are the calories. One has to be careful with too much fruit because it can be high in calories, especially if you are juicing three times a day. To cut the calories, juice experts counter that you can add in a few vegetables in with the fruit to cut the number of calories.

Whether you are a proponent or an opponent of juicing, I imagine the health benefits are found somewhere in between the two. While juicing can be a great way to get some of the vitamins and minerals, especially if you dislike fruits or vegetables, it cannot be a prolonged diet. Maybe for short periods of time, juicing can be a great way to limit your intake while still getting some vitamins and minerals. As a busy mom, I can definitely see juicing once in a while for my young kids (who really don't like vegetables) and hiding them in a 'fruit smoothie.' In my book, a few vitamins and minerals in the form of a 'fruit smoothie' (which has hidden vegetables in it) is better than none at all!

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Benefits of running

Benefits of running

          While there is the potential for injury in running, there are many benefits. Some of these benefits include potential weight loss, improved cardiovascular and respiratory health (reducing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases), improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced total blood cholesterol, strengthening of bones, possible strengthening of the immune system and an improved self-esteem and emotional state. Running, like all forms of regular exercise, can effectively slow or reverse  the effects of aging.

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Running can assist people in losing weight, staying in shape and improving body composition. Running increases your metabolism. Different speeds and distances are appropriate for different individual health and fitness levels. For new runners, it takes time to get into shape. The key is consistency and a slow increase in speed and distance. While running, it is best to pay attention to how one's body feels. If a runner is gasping for breath or feels exhausted while running, it may be beneficial to slow down or try a shorter distance for a few weeks. If a runner feels that the pace or distance is no longer challenging, then the runner may want to speed up or run farther.

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Running can also have psychological benefits, as many participants in the sport report feeling an elated, euphoric state, often referred to as a "runner's high". Running is frequently recommended as therapy for people with clinical depression and people coping with addiction. A possible benefit may be the enjoyment of nature and scenery, which also improves psychological well-being.

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Squat (exercise)

Squat (exercise)

In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads, hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body. Squats are considered a vital exercise for increasing the strength and size of the legs and buttocks, as well as developing core strength. Isometrically, the lower back, the upper back, the abdominals, the trunk muscles, the costal muscles, and the shoulders and arms are all essential to the exercise and thus are trained when squatting with the proper form. Squats are one of the three lifts in the strength sport of power lifting, together with dead lifts and bench press.

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The movement begins from a standing position. Weights are often used, either in the hand or as a bar braced across the trapezius muscle or rear deltoid muscle in the upper back. The movement is initiated by moving the hips back and bending the knees and hips to lower the torso and accompanying weight, then returning to the upright position.

Form:

Squats can be performed to varying depths. The competition standard is for the crease of the hip (top surface of the leg at the hip joint) to fall below the top of the knee; this is colloquially known as "parallel" depth. Confusingly, many other definitions for "parallel" depth abound, none of which represent the standard in organized powerlifting. From shallowest to deepest, these other standards are: bottom of hamstring parallel to the ground; the hip joint itself below the top of the knee, or femur parallel to the floor; and the top of the upper thigh (i.e., top of the quadriceps) below the top of the knee.

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Squatting below parallel qualifies a squat as deep while squatting above it qualifies as shallow. Some authorities caution against deep squats; though the forces on the ACL and PCL decrease at high flexion, compressive forces on the menisci and articular cartilages in the knee peak at these same high angles. This makes the relative safety of deep versus shallow squats difficult to determine.

As the body gradually descends, the hips and knees undergo flexion, the ankle dorsiflexes and muscles around the joint contract eccentrically, reaching maximal contraction at the bottom of the movement while slowing and reversing descent. The muscles around the hips provide the power out of the bottom. If the knees slide forward or cave in then tension is taken from the hamstrings, hindering power on the ascent. Returning to vertical contracts the muscles concentrically, and the hips and knees undergo extension while the ankle plantarflexes. In a weight bearing squat, the heels should always maintain contact with the floor throughout the movement. Weight shifting forward on to the toes, and off the heels creates unnecessary stress on the knee joint. This added stress may lead to inflammation or other overuse injuries.

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Running

Running

            Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum fashion.

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 A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity. The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting.

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Weight training and Strength training

Weight Training and Strength training

            Weight training causes micro-tears to the muscles being trained, this is generally known as microtrauma. These micro-tears in the muscle contribute to the soreness felt after exercise, called delayed onset muscle soreness. It is the repair to these micro-trauma that result in muscle growth. Normally, this soreness becomes most apparent a day or two after a workout. However, as muscles become adapted to the exercises, soreness tends to decrease.

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Weight training aims to build muscle by prompting two different types of hypertrophy: sarcoplasmic hypertrophy and myofibrillar hypertrophy. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy leads to larger muscles and so is favored by bodybuilders more than myofibrillar hypertrophy which builds athletic strength. 

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A bodybuilder will use sarcoplasmic hypertrophy most of the time, but may change to myofibrillar hypertrophy temporarily in order to move past a plateau. However, no real evidence has been provided to show that trainees ever reach this plateau, and rather was more of a hype created from muscular confusion.

Muscle growth

Bodybuilders use three main strategies to maximize muscle hypertrophy:

1) Strength training through weights or elastic/hydraulic resistance

2) Specialized nutrition, incorporating extra protein[citation needed] and supplements when necessary

3) Adequate rest, including sleep and recuperation between workouts

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Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding

            Bodybuilding is the use of progressive resistance exercise to control and develop one's musculature. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive amateur and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders appear in lineups doing specified poses, and later perform individual posing routines, for a panel of judges who rank competitors based on criteria such as symmetry, muscularity, and conditioning. Bodybuilders prepare for competition through a combination of dehydration, fat loss, oils, and tanning which make their muscular definition more distinct.

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Some well-known bodybuilders include Charles Atlas, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lou Ferrigno. Currently, IFBB professional bodybuilder Phil Heath from the United States holds the title of Mr. Olympia. The winner of the annual Mr. Olympia contest is generally recognized as the world's top professional male bodybuilder.

Natural bodybuilding

Due to the growing concerns of the high cost, health consequences and illegal nature of steroids many organizations have formed in response and have deemed themselves "natural" bodybuilding competitions. In addition to the concerns noted, many promoters of bodybuilding have sought to shed the "freakish" reputation that the general public perceives of bodybuilding and have successfully introduced a more mainstream audience to the sport of bodybuilding by including competitors whose physiques appear much more attainable and realistic.

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In natural contests the testing protocol ranges among organizations from polygraph testing to urinalysis. Penalties also range from organization to organization from suspensions to strict bans from competition. It is also important to note that natural organizations also have their own list of banned substances and it is important to refer to each organization's website for more information about which substances are banned from competition.

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Benefits of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

Benefits of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

            Aerobic exercise is a physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism. Generally, light-to-moderate intensity activities that are sufficiently supported by aerobic metabolism can be performed for extended periods of time. The intensity should be between 60 and 85% of maximum heart rate.

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Aerobic exercise comprises innumerable forms. In general, it is performed at a moderate level of intensity over a relatively long period of time. For example, running a long distance at a moderate pace is an aerobic exercise, but sprinting is not. Playing singles tennis, with near-continuous motion, is generally considered aerobic activity. The benefits of anaerobic exercise are powerful, and anaerobic exercise needs to be a part of your fitness program. Anaerobic exercise is high intensity muscular activity that lasts for a short period of time.

Aerobic Exercise Benefits:

The benefits of doing regular aerobic exercise are:

1) Strengthening the muscles involved in respiration, to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs

2) Strengthening and enlarging the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency and reduce the resting heart rate, known as aerobic conditioning

3) Strengthening muscles throughout the body

4) Improving circulation efficiency and reducing blood pressure

5) Increasing the total number of red blood cells in the body, facilitating transport of oxygen

6) Improved mental health, including reducing stress and lowering the incidence of depression

7) Reducing the risk for diabetes.

As a result, aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular problems. In addition, high-impact aerobic activities (such as jogging or jumping rope) can stimulate bone growth, as well as reduce the risk of osteoporosis for both men and women.

Anaerobic Exercise Benefits:

Anaerobic means "without oxygen," so your body does not use oxygen to help produce energy when you exercise anaerobically like it does when you exercise aerobically. The benefits of doing regular anaerobic exercise are:

1) Increase insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose uptake by muscles and improving the ability to store glucose

2) Contribute to healthy body composition of lean muscle and fat

3) Decrease body fat by raising metabolism

4) Increase muscle mass

5) Builds healthy bones, muscles and joints

6) Improves bone density and strength

7) Enhancing the speed at which muscles recover from high intensity exercise

Both Aerobic and Anaerobic can help decrease dose of glucose lowering medications or even need for glucose lowering medications. And they can lower glucose during exercise and for several hours after exercise. 

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Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise

Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise

            Aerobic exercise and fitness can be contrasted with anaerobic exercise, of which strength training and short-distance running are the most salient examples. The two types of exercise differ by the duration and intensity of muscular contractions involved, as well as by how energy is generated within the muscle.

In most conditions, anaerobic exercise occurs simultaneously with aerobic exercises because the less efficient anaerobic metabolism must supplement the aerobic system due to energy demands that exceed the aerobic system's capacity. What is generally called aerobic exercise might be better termed "solely aerobic", because it is designed to be low-intensity enough not to generate lactate via pyruvate fermentation, so that all carbohydrate is aerobically turned into energy.

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Initially during increased exertion, muscle glycogen is broken down to produce glucose, which undergoes glycolysis producing pyruvate which then reacts with oxygen (Krebs cycle) to produce carbon dioxide and water and releasing energy. If there is a shortage of oxygen (anaerobic exercise, explosive movements), carbohydrate is consumed more rapidly because the pyruvate ferments into lactate.

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As carbohydrates deplete, fat metabolism is increased so that it can fuel the aerobic pathways. The latter is a slow process, and is accompanied by a decline in performance level. This gradual switch to fat as fuel is a major cause of what marathon runners call "hitting the wall". Anaerobic exercise, in contrast, refers to the initial phase of exercise, or to any short burst of intense exertion, in which the glycogen or sugar is respired without oxygen, and is a far less efficient process.

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Anaerobic exercise

Anaerobic exercise

            Anaerobic exercise is exercise intense enough to trigger lactic acid formation. It is used by athletes in non-endurance sports to promote strength, speed and power and by body builders to build muscle mass. Muscle energy systems trained using anaerobic exercise develop differently compared to aerobic exercise, leading to greater performance in short duration, high intensity activities, which last from mere seconds to up to about 2 minutes. Any activity lasting longer than about two minutes has a large aerobic metabolic component.

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In sports which require repeated short bursts of exercise however, the anaerobic system enables muscles to recover for the next burst. There are two types of anaerobic energy systems: 

1)     The high energy phosphates, ATP adenosine triphosphate and CP creatine phosphate

 2)   Anaerobic glycolysis. The high energy phosphates are stored in very limited quantities within muscle cells. 

Anaerobic glycolysis exclusively uses glucose (and glycogen) as a fuel in the absence of oxygen or more specifically, when ATP is needed at rates that exceed those provided by aerobic metabolism; the consequence of rapid glucose breakdown is the formation of lactic acid (more appropriately, lactate at biological pH levels). Physical activities that last up to about thirty seconds rely primarily on the former, ATP-PC phosphagen, system. The effectiveness of anaerobic activity can be improved through training.

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Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic Exercise

            Aerobic Exercise (also known as cardio) is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism. Generally, light-to-moderate intensity activities that are sufficiently supported by aerobic metabolism can be performed for extended periods of time. The intensity should be between 60 and 85% of maximum heart rate.

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Aerobics classes may allow participants to select their level of participation according to their fitness level. Many gyms offer a wide variety of aerobic classes for participants to take. Each class is designed for a certain level of experience and taught by a certified instructor with a specialty area related to their particular class.

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Types Of Physical Exercise

Types Of Physical Exercise

            Any type of physical activity is good if it makes your muscles work more than usual. People of all ages can improve their health and well-being by becoming more physically active. There are many types of physical activity as written below:

1)     Aerobics

2)     Bodybuilding

3)     Running

4)     Squat

5)     Sport

6)     Stretching

7)     Walking

8)     Weight training

9)     Yoga

Basic modes of physical exercises

People do physical exercises as a part of their healthy lifestyle to get stronger and healthier or stay strong and healthy or to improve their body image. There are three basic modes of physical exercises:

1) Flexibility exercises help the human body in general or its part in particular to be able to reach farther and bend better.
2) Aerobic exercises help the body work hard for a long time.
3) Anaerobic exercises, like lifting weights, make the arms and legs stronger.

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Basic Modes Of Physical Exercises

Basic Modes Of Physical Exercises

             People do physical exercises as a part of their healthy lifestyle to get stronger and healthier or stay strong and healthy or to improve their body image. There are three basic modes of physical exercises:

1)  Flexibility exercises help the human body in general or its part in particular to be able to reach farther and bend better.

2) Aerobic exercises help the body work hard for a long time.

3) Anaerobic exercises, like lifting weights, make the arms and legs stronger.

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Exercise can be fun, but it is important for the exerciser to do what he likes and eat enough calories, so when he exercises he is building up muscles, not just breaking them down for fuel. Carbohydrates are muscle-sparing; and if one does not get enough calories overall, there is the risk of burning muscles up with the fat to make up the deficit.

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Physical Exercise

Physical Exercise

            Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of enjoyment.

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Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the "diseases of affluence" such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual's sex appeal or body image, which is also found to be linked with higher levels of self-esteem. Childhood obesity is a growing global concern and physical exercise may help decrease some of the effects of childhood and adult obesity. Health care providers often call exercise the "miracle" or "wonder" drug alluding to the wide variety of proven benefits that it provides.

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The beneficial effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system is well documented. There is a direct relation between physical inactivity and cardiovascular mortality, and physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease. There is a dose-response relation between the amount of exercise performed from approximately 700 to 2000 k cal of energy expenditure per week and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged and elderly populations. The greatest potential for reduced mortality is in the sedentary who become moderately active. Most beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular disease mortality can be attained through moderate-intensity activity persons who modify their behavior after myocardial infarction to include regular exercise have improved rates of survival. Persons who remain sedentary have the highest risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality.

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Making Physical Activity A Part Of A Child's Life

Making Physical Activity A Part Of A Child's Life

             Many physical activities fall under more than one type of activity. This makes it possible for your child to do two or even three types of physical activity in one day. Talk with children about physical activity and make sure they understand that everyone needs physical activity. It is an important part of staying healthy, not only for their body, but also for their mind. It's easy to fit each type of activity into your child's schedule – all it takes is being familiar with the Guidelines and finding activities that your child enjoys.

Making Physical Activity A Part Of A Child's Life

Keep Your Child Active:

            As a parent, you can help shape your child's attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity, and knowing these guidelines is a great place to start. Throughout their lives, encourage young people to be physically active for one hour or more each day, with activities ranging from informal, active play to organized sports. Here are some ways you can do this:

1) Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself.

2) Make physical activity part of your family's daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together.

3) Give your children equipment that encourages physical activity.

4) Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields or basketball courts.

5) Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.

6) Make physical activity fun.  Fun activities can be anything your child enjoys, either structured or non-structured. Activities can range from team sports or individual sports to recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities or free-time play.

7) Instead of watching television after dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase or riding bikes.

8) Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads or knee pads and ensure that activity is age-appropriate.

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Infant And Toddler Health

Preventing Falls For Babies And Toddlers

            Falls are the most common cause of accidents in every age group. As babies and children become more and more mobile, falls and bumps become more likely. Injuries to children often happen unexpectedly because grown-ups don't realize what children can do and how quickly they develop new skills. 

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The most useful thing you can do to try and keep your child safe is to keep an eye on the new skills she’s learning, and the new places she can reach and get to – and then adjust your environment accordingly. Understanding your child’s development will help you plan ahead for safety.

Fall Safety For Kids At Home

At home, fall safety for kids hinges on basic precautions. Follow these simple tips:

1) Beware of heights. Never leave a baby alone on a bed, changing table or piece of furniture. Use the safety strap on highchairs and other infant seats. Don't allow a young child to play alone on a fire escape, high porch or balcony. Safety netting also may help prevent falls.

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2) Keep stairs safe. Make sure stairs have handrails on both sides that go from the top step to the bottom step. Keep stairs clear of clutter and well lit.

3) Install safety gates. Block a toddler's access to stairs with safety gates. If you're putting a safety gate at the top of a staircase, attach it to the wall.

4) Keep windows locked and screens in place. A young child may squeeze through a window opened as little as 5 inches. Although all windows that open should have guards or screens, screens aren't strong enough to keep a child inside. Discourage play near windows and patio doors, which could lead to a fall through glass. Don't store or display anything a child could climb near a window.

5) Prevent access to extension cords and ladders. It's easy to trip on extension cords. Store ladders on their sides in a shed or garage.

6) Avoid baby walkers. A young child may trip over a baby walker, fall out of the walker or fall down the stairs while using a walker.

7) Use night lights. Consider using them in your child's bedroom, the bathroom and hallways to prevent falls at night.

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Encouraging Kids To Be Active

Encouraging Kids To Be Active

            Anyone who's seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active.

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As they get older, it can be a challenge for kids to get enough daily activity. Reasons include increasing demands of school, a feeling among some kids that they aren't good at sports, a lack of active role models, and busy working families.

And even if kids have the time and the desire to be active, parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids once did. So their opportunities might be limited.

Tips For Encouraging Active Kids

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1) Be active yourself  and your child will follow your lead.

2) Offer positive feedback and support to encourage your child when an activity is proving a little difficult for him.

3) Spend active time with your child. Instead of being a couch potato or focusing too much on jobs that need to be done around the house, make some time to have fun playing Frisbee, walking and cycling with your child.

4) Encourage him to play outside and praise him when he does.

5) Encourage him to take up an organised sport or group lessons in swimming or dancing.

6) Get the family going: organise family activities such as camping, bush walking and outdoor games.

7) Involve your child in daily chores around the house, such as gardening, washing the car and cleaning. Not only do these activities keep everyone physically active, they help the house run smoothly.

Healthy, physically active kids also are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age.

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Movement And Play For Babies

Movement And Play For Babies

         In her first 18 months, your baby will learn to lift her head, roll over, sit, crawl, stand and walk. Play is one of the best ways to get her moving. Getting your baby moving is good for his development, and so is play. So when you put play and movement together every day, you and your baby are off to a great start.

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Playing on the floor with you is a good way to get even a little baby moving. This kind of play helps your baby:

1) Develop posture, so she can learn to sit without support, and to lift her head when lying on her tummy

2) Practice basic skills that lay the foundations for more complex movements, such as reaching and grabbing

3) Build muscles that promote movements such as crawling, rolling, pulling to stand and walking.

Before about two months, your baby can't really control most of his movements, but he'll enjoy checking out things that catch his eye. After this, he'll start reaching and grabbing. Once he's rolling or crawling from about six months, you'll need to watch more closely, in case he heads for something dangerous.

The best toy for your baby is you. Playing and moving with your baby is a great way to bond. You can also give your little one lots of praise and encouragement as she goes from one amazing physical feat to the next.

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Activities For Younger Children

Activities For Younger Children

             Babies and Children are instinctively active. Daily movement helps to develop their senses and ability to move. When choosing physical activities for babies, toddlers and young children, focus on activities that are fun. All the activities children enjoy increase their ability to move with confidence and competence.

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Activities For Children 0-2 Years

            Babies (0-12 months) need plenty of opportunities for unrestricted movement. Choose or create a safe environment that encourages exploring and the development of skills such as reaching, rolling, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, cruising and walking.

Before Baby Can Walk 

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Even tiny babies like to stretch and play. A large blanket on the floor (or on the grass, if you're outside) can be a safe, clean and welcoming place for babies to practice lifting their heads or develop strong muscles during ‘tummy time’. It's also the perfect place to learn to roll, creep, crawl and sit. If you put a toy just out of reach, you'll encourage your baby make an extra effort that will help physical development.

Before putting baby on the floor, take a look for potential hazards down at baby level. Stay with your baby at all times to keep things safe.

When Baby Starts To Walk 

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Once your child is walking, there'll be no stopping for breath. You can support this new physical mastery by allowing children to be active rather than keeping them confined to strollers.

Provide toys and activities that encourage movement. For example, when you help your child climb a slide at the local playground, you’re building self-confidence and balance. You’re also paving the way for your child to climb stairs.

Playing with your child and giving praise as your child learns to run, hop, dance and throw will provide vital encouragement.

Activities For Children 2-5 Years

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Toddlers and Preschoolers need plenty of time to just run around and play – adventure playgrounds, parks and the beach are all great places for kids this age.

Here are some ways to keep physical activity fun:

1) Use a large, soft ball to start teaching the basics of throwing, catching and kicking a ball.

2) Chase bubbles.

3) Play different kinds of music to encourage creative dancing and a sense of rhythm.

4) Invent some silly walks and runs with your child, such as running like a monkey, hopping like a bunny, and flapping like a bird.

5) Encourage your child to ride bikes, scooters and tricycles, and play with push toys such as trucks, doll strollers and toy lawn mowers.

6) Play games that involve rolling, skipping, hopping and chasing.

7) Put the stroller away and walk to the library, park or shops.

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Why Is Physical Activity Important In Early Childhood

Why Is Physical Activity Important In Early Childhood 

             Physical Activity into young children's lives is essential for creating a foundation of movement and activity that they will carry with them throughout the rest of their lives. Physically active children learn habits in early childhood that greatly increase their chances of remaining physically active through their young adult and teenage years and into adulthood. Early childhood are ideally placed to foster the development of good physical activity habits early in life and to encourage families to engage in regular physical activity.

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Early childhood should offer a wide choice of play-based, physically active learning experiences that link to children's interests, abilities, identity and prior knowledge. Physical activity in childcare needs to be made up of both structured (i.e. intentionally taught) physical activity and unstructured, spontaneous activity. As active role models, educators can encourage children to participate in physical activity. 

Benefits Of Being Active For Young Children

The benefits of being active for young children include:

1) Promoting healthy growth and development

2) Helping to achieve and maintain a healthy weight

3) Building strong bones and muscles

4) Improving cardiovascular fitness

5) Improving balance, coordination and strength

6) Maintaining and developing flexibility

7) Improving posture

8) Assisting with the development of gross motor and fine motor skills

9) Providing the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills

10) Helping to establish connections between different parts of the brain

11) Improving concentration and thinking skills

12) Improving confidence and self-esteem

13) Relieving stress and promoting relaxation

14) Providing opportunities to develop social skills and make friends

15) Improving sleep.

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Child Care

Child Care           

             Child Care is the caring for and supervision of a child or children, usually from newborn to age thirteen. Child care is the action or skill of looking after children by a day-care center, babysitter, or other providers. 

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Children's healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences when they are very young. If you work or go to school, you want to know that your child is in good hands while you are away. You may choose in-home care, where the caregiver comes to your home. Or your child might go to the caregiver's home. It is important to get to know your child's caregivers. They will be a big part of your child's life. The caregiver's training should involve

1) Knowledge of how young children learn and grow

2) Positive, consistent discipline

3) Knowledge of the signs that a child is sick

4) Cleanliness and safety practices to help keep kids from getting sick or hurt

5) Basic first aid

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