This is a set up for success.
“We try to work on eye hand coordination, which would be bouncing the balls. We have a station over there where we will have a ball toss,” says Kathy Garnder, exercise specialist with Lee Memorial Health System.
An exercise course expressly for 4-year olds.
“This one here they can either walk on their toes or go skipping through it,” says Garnder.
Each station is designed to enhance pre-k skills, like jumping jacks.
“Absolutely because they have to coordinate their hands and legs at the same time,” says Garnder.
The idea is to get a head start on healthy habits.
“What we are trying to do is off set the issues of obesity in children. We are trying to make it seem fun to exercise,” says Garnder.
It hasn’t been kid tested, until now. As the first 13 preschoolers hit the course, running.
“Ok now what? Bounce,” says Shelby Baucum, mom.
Parents are encouraged to get in on the action. Studies show it’s easier to build healthy routines when it’s a family affair.
“Ya ready, now look, whoa, whoa,” says Baucum.
“It’s something we’ve tried to instill in her, with a lot of healthy foods and riding our bikes outside and doing that in a more organized format like here is wonderful,” says Baucum.
Of course, the flip side of exercise is good nutrition. And kids are learning that too. Beginning with healthy snacks.
“Today’s food group is dairy. So today’s snack is a cheese snack. We’ll be doing fruits and vegetables and the bread group,” says Garnder.
With serious health conditions linked to obesity, including diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, this may be the most important lesson in their young lives.
“Definitely start them young because then it gets into their brain and they get to thinking healthier living is the best way to go,” says Bridget Farry, mom.Everything here can be done at home. It just takes time, and energy.