Helping pre-schoolers simultaneously develop long term life skills and increase their activity

As every parent knows, a key to a happy future is a healthy one so pre-schooler channel Nick Jr has developed Mini Movers, the first ever toddlaerobic dance-based routine that gets under five’s active to increase their fitness while improving their development of long term life skills including bone growth, muscle tone, co-ordination and attention skills.

With the government forecasting that a quarter of all children will be obese by the year 2050, the importance of regular physical activity in childhood can’t be ignored and instilling health habits at a young age is one way of tackling this.

Nick Jr., which reaches 4 million viewers a month, has joined up with children’s fun fitness authority FitKid to develop an easy-to- follow movement -based routine that toddlers will enjoy. With moves based on a weather theme that kids can relate to and devised to help benefit kids’ all round fitness and development, the Mini Movers routine will air every morning on the channel. The Mini Mover routine will assist in the development of strong muscles and help the preschooler achieve the following benefits:

 Increase eye-hand co-ordination and attention skills
 Stimulate bone growth and muscle tone
 Improve posture
 Boost self esteem and confidence
 Help cardiovascular fitness
 Help keep a healthy weight

Debra Stephenson is fronting the campaign and since she has had her children Max 4 and Zoe, 9 months, she has become very aware of how important it is to make exercise a part of life for the whole family. Debra says “My son is always dancing in front of the TV when music comes on, and as I know the Nick Jr. Mini Movers routine has been developed by experts in children’s exercise, copying it is helping him to practice beneficial moves. Plus, it helps him expend his energy and is something we can do together which is always fun”

Nicky Kay, Managing Director of FitKid, explains, “Guidelines show that a preschooler should be physically active for at least an hour a day- whether that’s playing in the park or participating in an organised fitness activity. The health and developmental benefits of getting active at an early age are immense. Nick Jr.’s Mini Movers will be a great start to each day for toddlers and mums and dads too-showing how easy it is to incorporate activity into a family’s daily routine. We hope that Mini Movers will help to motivate families to increase their activity levels, making exercise fun for all and a habit for life”

The Nick Jr. Mini Movers Weather Dance routine will be on daily on Nick Jr. at 7.55am from 5 November 2007 for you and your children to join in with.

Nick Jr. are also searching for TWO children to star in the next Nick Jr. Mini Movers routine that will be filmed and aired on Nick Jr. next year to help encourage more parents and children to get active. Regional auditions will be held in Birmingham and Leeds in December 2007. For more information visit www.nickjr.co.uk/minimovers

THE NICK JR MINI MOVERS WEATHER DANCE – STEP BY STEP INSERT IMAGES NEXT TO EACH…

•Tickle the Sky - up high

Why? Regular whole body stretching is important for the under 5 age group to ensure they keep supple at an early age How? Hands start low, wave up high, complete until arms stretching up in air. Knees bent and shoulders relaxed, curl up through the spine, head forward, come up onto tip toes

•Stomp in the Snow - down low

Why? Toddlers are top heavy and have to work hard to control big moves like these. Provides great body weight management exercise How? Leg move out to one side then the other (so legs now wide apart) wiggle down low

•Blow in the Breeze

Why? Strong whole body movement helps to develop the core muscles. It is vital for kids to build strong postural muscles to support an upright and healthy frame How? Scoop arms from side to side. Whole body sway working through the torso

•Jump up to the sun

Why? Arm rolls are a great hand eye co-ordination exercise, toddlers love to jump and bop around, this improves leg, buttock and back strength -just make sure they have plenty of space How? Arms roll round each other lower down, jump up to start jump. Roll down with knees bent, jump off both feet and land with soft knees

•Rain coming down

Why? Finger wiggling promotes motor skills, which will assist in a healthy neurological pathway in the growing child How? Fingers moving and wiggling, isolated finger movement

•Putting on wellies

Why? Balance and body control are excellent skills for young children to master to help reduce trips and falls, plus they are the building blocks for sport and fitness How? Balance on one leg, keep supporting leg soft at the knee, don’t take it too high and compromise balance

•Sun comes out

Why? Jumping around with your child can be fun and uses lots of energy. Impact exercises such as jumping helps develop strong bones by increasing bone density How? Jump up off both feet and land with soft knees, older children can make this a stronger move

•Reach for a rainbow

Why? Young children love to pretend, so let them be a rainbow and make as big a move as they can! This will help to stretch and strengthen the whole body. Big movements increase the range of movements around the joints, which is important for flexibility and joint health How? Arms from side to side, across body to the other side and sweep down. Knees bent, bend down low but keep hips above knees, sweep arms up and over in an arc above the head, use the whole body but encourage long backs and stretch up not forward

•Wind blowing all around

Why? Mobilisation of the joints is a good way to keep the body relaxed and stress free How? Arms moving in windmills and moving feet around, getting slower and lower to the ground. Ensure arms move forward from the shoulders without throwing them. Maintain balance and awareness of others around