Chapter 6 of Hand book and chapter 10 of children's Experiences.

In this Chapter David L.Gallahue and John C. Ozmun beutifully explains what does development means.As it is the change in function over time. The change in cognitive,affective, and motor domains over passage of time. This chapter focusses on motor development of children which is defined as adaptive change in motor behavior across the life span of a normally developing child. It is important to understand motor development in terms of product and process. Knowledge of product is as the outcomes which provides us with the descriptive profiles of developmental change in motor behavior.Which also provides us information of "what" in motor development.such as what are stages of motor development etc. Knowledge of process as the underlying mechanism of motor development.Which explains "how" and "why" of motor development stages in children. As in table 6.1 on pg 106 gallahue's phases of motor development (2006) explains how movement skills become increasingly unpridictable with the change in phases of development. Such as reflexive movement phse of early infancy to the rdimentary movement phase of infancy and toddler hood,Fundamental movement phase of early childhood, and finally to the specialized phase of later childhood and beyond. In this chapter two aspects of motor development has been emphasized,1) Aquisition of fundamental Movement skills and 2)Children's Physical activity and Physical fitness. As Gallahue and Ozmun explains by getting children involved in different movement experiences can enhance their knowledge of their bodies and capabilities.With the experiences children gather they build the perceptions about themselves as well as world around them.

Sinclair(1973) did an interesting longitudinal study of children 2-6 yrs of USA to study motor development of young children. Her 6 month study results showed that movement skill aquisition are age related during early childhood years. On pg 108-109 table 6.2A-C explains in depth the emergence sequenceand approximate age -range for several fundamental stability,locomotor,and manipulative skills. It is very informative to learn in table 6.3 about the common tests we can do to learn about the fitness of a child. Another important information that is provided in this chapter was the data of recent survey (National Center for Health Statistics,2001) clearly reveals that children in united states are heavior than as compare to their counterparts 20 yrs ago. And this is all because of the lack of physical activity which tends to promote obesity in children.

As proceeding in this chapter we learn the benefits and different surveys and studies done on the importance of physical fitness of children. It is essential to know how much muscle strength, joints and heart healthy as well as to improve balance and coordination of body is important to lead a healthy developing normal child. Adult intervention in providing opportunities to children to play and and get invoved in aerobics as well as different movement activities can help in reduction of obesity rate in children.

In my day care we strongly believe in outdoor activity, which is mainly walks through the creek and climbing trees and running and rolling on the ground.we play balancing game on the logs and frog race games as well as we do competition on standing on one leg. I think this all promotes physical fitness and falls into all aspects of physically fit healthy developing child. Physical fitness also promote healthy minds. Along with physical activity we must introduce children to healthy eating habits as well. If our children, as well all know , live in a fast food society, if we do not promote healthy eating habits in our children they will not be able to continue physical activities. Also i very much emphasize on any kind of physical activity in the form of play . As play promotes emotional and social development of children as well.

I read an article in a Scientific American Mind related to "The serious need for play"by Melinda Wenner in which she explains thatStuart Brown's studies show that Play -deprived childhood disrupts normal social, emotional and cognitive development in humans and animals. i am adding the web site to share this magazine article with you all.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-serious-need-for-play&print=true

Another Qualitative research paper that i read also supports the readings of Capter 6 as well as the previous article by Melinda Wenner. The study done in this research article by Richard Baily, "Physical education and sport in schools: A review of Benefits and Outcomes". This paper focuses on the benefits of physical education for both children as well as for educational system. Further it provides research evidence in terms of children's development in different domains ,physical, lifestyle,affective, social, cognitive. This paper is focused on the benefits of physical education and sport as oit shows through it's title.It further explains that physical inactivity has been identified as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, as well as beings associated with premature morality and obesity. the PES programs has been establised to promote physical activities amongst children,and they are cost effective ways so to upbring healthy future adults who can lead a physically active life.

I have a little girl in my day care who is 2 1/2 yrs almost. she was very petite and unsocial child, did not want to eat at all day and mommy was fine with that. Also had great stanger anxiety, she would cling to me and will not go to any one else.Either mom or me.If anyone just say hi to her it is a big problem. She would cry very loud.Gradually i brought her into block games and later outdoor games( which initially she would not do) This gradual transition brought a very visible change in her, she's eating better, plays with others,as well as share her toys.talks and sings with us.Participate in outdoor play and running. Still there is a room for more progress which she will achieve soon but i see the effects of physical activity upon children.

This reminds me of another article that i ahve been reading, It is from European Journal of Public health, This paper is about the "Physical activity Patterns of Kindergarten Children in comparison to teenagers and young adults".by Eric Sigmund,Mark De Ste Croix, Ludmila Miklankova,Karel Fromel. This qualitative study also supports physical education and increasing number of obesity and heart problems in children and other related problems with children's physical health in schools gave thought to researchers to study the Physical Activity in pre school children. The reason of this study was based on the increasing rate of obesity and low physical activity rate in young children. This study focused to identify the PA of preschool children in comparison to the PA of teen agers and young adults.

It was an interesting study.The participants of this study were 104 Czech preschool children aged 5-7yrs and 117 teen agers aged 12-17yrs and young adults aged 18-24yrs. participants were monitored over 7 days of the weedend.Their PA was evaluated on the basis of activity energy expenditure (AEE-kcalkg -1 day-1).

Interesting results were found in this study related to activity energy expenditure of children,teen ager and young adults. The AEE of preschoolers was significantly higher in comparison to all age groups. Their AEE was higher both on weekends as well as on weekdays. Another fact that was found in one longitudinal study of 3-5 yrs old revealed that obesity is associated with parent and child. Children with higher socioeconomic status who own more movement stimulating toys are more physically active at home as well as in their kindergarten break session time, as compare to the children with low socioeconomic status.

It was concluded in this study that if organized activity such as 50-70 min of walking , 20 mn twice daily excercise on carpet, in preschool along with unorganized activity time and space for their further healthy development in life.

This study supported my project also as well as of chapter 6 how important is physical movement in childhood for the rest of healthy life mentally and physically.

Chapter 10 of children's experiences, further explains childrens involvement in research. It is important to involve children and let them design their own research agenda. Youth -adult partnerships in research gives adults and youth equal opportunities to make decisions about the design and conduct of the research study. As it is mentioned on pg 167, about the longitudinal study of Oldfather (1995), in her study, views of learning and motivation was the key of multiple partnerships with students. As students helped in the research with data interpetation, participating in conferences and presentation, and eventually leading studies of their own. It is emphasized in this chapter that we involve children in research, it opens the door for both adults, children and youth to communicate and ngotiate with each other. As it is mentioned on pg170 of Researchingchildren's experiences, "authentic collaboration involves authentic relationships in which partners learn about each other and each other's world in the process of working together on shared interests".

This study reminds me one of my old project that we did on healthy eating habits in children and promoting healthy foods. I involved my day care children in my project and First we talked about the health and how our health is affected by different things. Children gave me different views and most of them were quite true, such as i asked them, " What makes us sick?" Children answered, "germs", "Not washing hands", "canddies, they give you stomach ache" "cake". (came from Hungry caterpillar story 'cause we did read it in the morning).

Children made the menu with me for the week and then we did introduce all healthy foods, which children emphasized at home too. Now after a year we see children's pattern of food intake has changed almost 90%. I involved parents in this project and they participated in it well too.Now as i learn the importance of children's involvement in research i check on my own project and try to perform my project in the manner which is better for children.

My project of, " Children's Experience with Nature and outdoor Play"is proceeding in footsteps of the researches done previously. As i involved children 100% as well as adults in my project and finds the confidence and responsibility they show while they are handling plants and watering plants. Few of the children wanted to plant peas in the vegetable garden and examine the vine climb up on the strings very carefully every day. Children planned what to put to save our plants from deers and rabbits.Few of the children had vegetable garden experience from home by seeing their fathers doing it.But i gave them opportunity to do it by themselves, and their prior experience gave them confidence to give suggestions. Our prior experience on going on a nature walk gave them information what animals come close to our house and what animals come close to their own houses.In this way my project sparked in them a curiosity and interest in Nature and to experience and observe it any where they go.

I encourage parents and children to be more outdoors and enjoy nature and be aware of it, Than just sit inside and play ninetendo, or other tech. games.Which promotes, lack of appetite in children, they tend to eat more junk food and aggression and lack of tolerance in them increases as well as lot of medical problems arise.Such as obesity, bad eyesight, ADHD,lack of communication skills, emotional problems. Where as i noticed in my children since 6months, even children with aggressive temprament become much calm after being exposed to nature and being involved in our project. Their social skills are getting better. I have a girl in my day care who was very shy and nervous little girl. She would hang around my neck all day and will not leave me. but gradually being around with all of us in the garden and going on walks exploring nature she is very fond of nature around us and has become very social and communicative. My study emphasizes on parental involvement in nature exploring as well. We,(me and children ) planned a picnic and invited the parents to go on a nature walk with all of us. In my opinion if we bring awareness of environment and love of nature, in younger age they will be more caring towards environment and being outdoors will be much more healthier as adults of present times. I povided parents some information on importance of nature for children and outdoor play. Also invited them to listen a lecture of Elizabeth Goodenough at Oakland University. As my project is proceeding i see awarness and willingness of adults and children to be more outdoors and explore nature than being indoors and play video games.I see children are taking incentive in making plans for outdoor activity and what they like to plan. Chapter 10 reminded me of Reggio approach also which i very much apply in my day care program and invo;ve children in making plans for their projects.