Introduce sports to preschoolers – Ms. Deepika, Time Kids Preschool, Bachupally

Increase in the seated nature of work has made sedentary lifestyle more common than ever. Additionally, increasing educational pressure on children has made physical activity so limited that it is practiced only by those who wish to make a career out of it. What if we nip this problem in the bud? Introduction to sports for kids at a tender age balanced with seated academics will eventually lead them to always have a knack for physical activities. A curiosity regarding making this come true is what led to an interview with Ms. Deepika who is the Director of T.I.M.E. Kids Preschool, Bachupally, Telangana.

According to her, sports and physical activities are pivotal in the present scenario. Earlier, kids used to play outside as the environment was suitable back then, as compared to now – a world of narrow lanes and fast-moving vehicles. Mostly, due to safety reasons parents don’t allow their kids to play outside.

It would be a welcoming initiative to introduce the sporting scenario at a tender age.  She herself has seen how wonderfully Go Alpha classes have worked for her kids, filling them with enthusiasm and confidence. Also, by introducing sports at an early age, we can easily see the kind of sports and physical activities a kid is inclined towards. A possibility also exists of the kid moving on to make a career out of it in his/her coming days. Young kids have ample time to explore with tremendous grasping power, which is an appropriate stage to expose kids to sports. In this way, they would end up using their energy and intellect in a positive way rather than glancing at gadget screens all the time, which adversely affects health.

The general conception expects the kid to aim for grades. Sports has a profound impact on a child: he becomes sportive, builds confidence and develops sportsmanship. To put it in layman terms, he learns that it doesn’t matter to win or to lose, working as a team and playing to the fullest is the goal. It is seen that even if a kid loses, he/she keeps cheering for his/her friends.

Preschools should expose children to sports twice a week under a trained professional whose guidance would drive sport activities for students.

After the introduction of Go Alpha, it was seen the kids returned to class all the more energetic after the sports sessions. Contrary to their expectations of being exhausted after a brief session of physical activity, they became more active, were quick to respond and interact in class.

Sports should be a part of the academic curriculum. Children should not be confined to books. Recreational play like sandbox activities are different from sports and physical activities, which is why they should be kept separate. Sports activities should be planned according to age, where some kids are inclined towards gymnastics, some swimming, some outdoor. By putting ourselves in the shoes of a toddler can we see their wants and needs starkly.

-Aditya Singh

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