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Healthy Talk About Exercise
If you asked a preschooler why adults exercise, what would they say? Would their answers be healthy answers? Preschoolers repeat what they hear other people say. Some preschoolers would say adults exercise “so they won’t get fat.” Other preschoolers would say adults exercise to “stay in shape.” Also, preschoolers might say that some adults “hate to exercise.” Adults can help preschoolers have healthy exercise attitudes by simply changing the way they talk about exercise.
“Talk Healthy” about Exercise
What if preschoolers heard adults say that exercise is fun, keeps our bodies strong and helps our minds be in a better mood? All of those ideas about exercise are true, are in simple language that preschoolers can understand and send a positive, healthy message about exercise.
Preschoolers Naturally Like Exercise
Typical preschoolers love to jump, run, hop, climb, pedal, etc. Help preschoolers hold on to their excitement about exercise. Start preschoolers with a healthy exercise attitude. They will be more likely to keep positive feelings about physical activity in their school years and adult life.
What Do Preschoolers Hear about Exercise?
You may talk about exercise in a negative way by saying, “I hate to exercise” out loud in an adult conversation with a preschooler close by. Be aware that preschoolers hear a lot of adult conversations, especially when adults think preschoolers are in the next room playing. Preschoolers learn a lot about healthy habits by listening to adults. Often adults forget that the little things we say send powerful messages to preschoolers.
Tips for Healthy Exercise Discussions with Your Preschooler
1. Talk about the healthy benefits of exercise (healthy body and mind, fun) instead of talking about what happens if you don’t exercise. Focus on “why it’s healthy to exercise” instead of “why it’s not good to not exercise.”
2. If you can’t exercise or choose not to, talk about why others exercise. If you truly don’t enjoy exercise, refrain from expressing your feeling with harsh negative language such as “I hate exercise.”
3. Use simple terms about exercise that preschoolers can understand. Keep your language short and simple.
Examples of Positive Statements about Exercise:
“Exercise keeps our bodies strong.”
“Your muscles get stronger the more you use them.”
“Exercise makes your heart exercise and your heart needs exercise too.”
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