Exercise guidelines Early Childhood (3 to 7 years): During this stage of growth and development such exercise or physical activity should be encouraged which helps in developing competence in movement skills (throwing, jumping, catching or kicking the ball). Emphasis should be laid down on participation and not on competition. During this stage, activities related to fine motor skills, i.e., coordinative abilities should be emphasised.
Structured as well as unstructured physical activities should also be performed daily for at least sixty minutes by children during this stage of growth. Recreative as well as enjoyable methods should be used to encourage them for participation in various physical activities. Stress should also be laid on clean and safe environment during this stage of growth. They may be allowed to watch quality programmes on TV for one to two hours.
Exercise guidelines Later Childhood (8 to 12 Years): During this stage of growth and development children should indulge in activities such as, stunts, throwing, jumping, catching, running, etc., so that they can acquire body-control, strength and coordination. However, activities related to endurance should be avoided. Stress should also be laid down on organised or team games which aim to develop social-consciousness in them.
During this stage, children should be introduced to competitive sports and taught the basic rules of sports competition, i.e., enjoying the game, fair play, simple stralegies and tactics. They can also be introduced to the concept of sports training and the exercises that build endurance (aerobic exercises like running, swimming and cycling, etc.), strength (resistance exercises) and agility, coordination and balance (fast work and rapid movement exercises).