The New Year is a time for resolutions and more often than not these relate to getting more physical exercise and having a healthier lifestyle. This is certainly evident at my local pool where I regularly swim – I can always look forward to a January with increased traffic in the swimming lanes. But at the risk of sounding smug, I know from experience that these crowds very quickly reduce as people feel they have done enough to detox after Christmas.
It seems that despite the best intentions it is more difficult than ever for adults to sustain exercise as part of their busy lives – and inevitably this is compounding the problem we have of children not being physically active enough.
It is sobering that according to Sport England’s latest survey (online, 7 December) almost 4m children are still not physically active for the recommended minimum 60 minutes a day, with activity levels appearing to be unchanged from during the pandemic. With ‘two-fifths of journeys taken by car’, it is hardly surprising that physical activity has ‘stagnated’.
Here at Nursery World we want to be part of a determined effort to increase children’s physical activity, and champion movement in an inclusive way. In the coming year we are determined to increase our coverage from experts, to support best practice. This begins with a new six-part series penned by movement guru Dr Lala Manners (page 14). Lala will unpick underpinning knowledge in relation to key areas of physical development and provide in-depth practical guidance on activities and individual approaches, with advice on when outside resources are appropriate.
Just how much adults love to move was evident at our Physical Development Conference in November. There was music and there was dancing. Let’s hope for more of the same in 2024!
Happy New Year to all our readers.