Kelly Pfeiffer - Contributing Writer

I’m Kelly Pfeiffer, contributing writer for PreschoolRock.com.

Main Fitness Writer - As the main writer for Preschool Fitness, I’ll share fun, but simple ideas about all aspects of fitness for preschoolers, both indoors and out. I’ve taught swimming lessons and creative dance to kids. My background in Health and Physical Education, interest in creative movement for children, training development for child care providers and years of experience staying home with preschoolers has given me lots of ideas on preschoolers’ needs and likes when it comes to staying active.

As a child I spent plenty of time running, swinging, exploring creeks, roller skating, swimming and playing outdoor games with the neighborhood kids. I stayed physically active. As a mom, I want my children to spend lots of time outside and enjoy being active.

Fine Motor Fitness - I've devoted one section of Preschool Fitness to fine motor skills. The Fine Motor Fitness section will offer information, games, activities and ideas about supporting healthy fine motor skill development for preschoolers. Gross motor mean large muscle and fine motor means small muscle. Fine motor skill development mainly involves the small muscles in the hands, fingers and wrists - muscles that help preschoolers dress themselves, feed themselves, write and even hold cards.

Other Sections I Write For - I've given many home-made birthday parties over the years, so I contribute to the Preschool Parties section too. I'm a science and nature nut so soon I'll write some fun science and nature articles.

About Me

Website - I manage THINKitTHROUGHparenting.com, a parent education website with a parenting blog, articles and parenting class listings.

Parent Educator - As a part-time parent educator, I teach Positive Discipline parenting classes for a local agency in my community. As well I am a Positive Discipline Associate/Trainer for the Positive Discipline Association, a non-profit training and resource organization.

Trainer for Child Care Providers - I also train child care workers for my state child care career development office. I'm a certified child care trainer in the areas of "Growth & Development" and "Child Guidance" (what most of us would call "discipline").

Writer - I am a parenting writer for Suite101.com. It was only in my adult life that I became interested in writing. I enjoy writing for both adults and children. I joined a local writing critique group for children's writers and our monthly critique meetings are one of my favorite activities.

Activities - I attend Jazzercise classes several times a week and go jogging every now and then. I love to hike and ride bikes with my family.

Favorite Family Trip - One of my favorite family trips was when we paddled a canoe 22 miles down the Edisto River and slept over night in a tree house. My kids say the trip was one of their favorite experiences, even though it poured rain for about 7 miles of our first day paddling.

Teach Preschoolers the Benefits of Physical Fitness

There are all kinds of ways to keep preschoolers active. Exercise doesn’t have to be structured. It just has to be fun. I’ve even sent my kids out in the rain (when there was no thunder) with raincoats and rain boots to stomp around in puddles. Read around the preschool fitness site and get some new ideas on how to keep kids moving and having fun at the same time. Remember that your attitude about fitness affects preschoolers’ attitudes about fitness.

Tips for Keeping Preschoolers Active

Be a Role Model: Make exercise a part of your life. If your demonstrate that exercise is important to you, your actions speak much louder than any words ever could.

Do Physical Activity with Your Preschooler: At least once a week, participate in some type of physical activity with your preschooler. Go on a bike ride, take a walk or roll a ball back and forth with your preschool aged child.

Plan Active Family Fun: When you plan family fun activities, think of how your family can do some type of physical activity together. Go hiking, swimming or to a playground.

Limit Media Time: When kids are in front of a television, computer or video game, they aren't learning to enjoy physical movement. Limit media time each day.

Provide a Variety of Activities: The preschool years are important for children to develop initiative, the desire to try new things and take healthy risks to explore the world. Provide plenty of intellectual, social and physical activities to support healthy overall development for preschoolers. But beware of going to the extreme of over scheduling preschoolers. Unstructured play is very important for healthy development in the preschool years.

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