Stepping Toward Physical Activity Requirement: Integrating Pedometers into Early Childhood Settings
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In the article “Stepping toward Physical Activity Requirement: Integrating Pedometers into Early Childhood Settings” a study was implemented to determine how pedometers could be used to determine the childrens physical activity levels and encourage children to move; while also documenting the childrens reactions and behavior towards the pedometers and physical activities. The study consisted of 15 preschool children between the ages of 3-5; all children involved were from the same class. The study researchers introduced the pedometer to the children, informing them that the device would be able to calculate how many steps each child took during the day; while also determining which activities required more movement and which ones involved little movement (Robinson & Wadsworth, 2010). The research team also introduced the children and their teachers to several new activities that could be implemented into their curriculum, because these activities involved projects and tasks that would get the children moving and learning from. The article states “These activities can be integrated into early childcare settings to promote physical activity, along with total growth and development in children, by incorporating history, social interaction, comprehension, visual recognition, body awareness, and movement” (Robinson & Wadsworth, 2010, pg.96).
This study discussed the need to get children active in and out of school, because more and more children are becoming obese due to the fact that they are moving less and playing less; in fact “Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled” (Ogden & Carroll, 2010, para.6). These days children are into video games, computers and other stationary activities, which puts their bodies into a state of rest and low metabolism. The article describes a generation that is living life in the slow lane; one that is not meeting the suggested time frames, set by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, which children should be meeting each day. Teachers spend a great amount of time with these children and they have a great opportunity to help these children change their stationary path and set them on the path that will get them moving (Robinson & Wadsworth, 2010).
The pedometer method gave children a new and curious way to count their steps and help them realize how close or far they are to meeting the NASPE time frame standards; which can get them motivated to meeting those time frame goals. The researchers were also curious to see how the children would react to the pedometers and the physical activities that would be participating in. Well, the results were positive and hopeful. The children liked the implementation of the pedometers, asking everyday if they would be wearing them, and they enjoyed the new activities that they were introduced to. This is great news, because of the positive