Show preschool children basic stretches and emphasize the importance of keeping your body fit and limber. Have the kids stretch high into the air and have them touch their toes. Additionally, encourage children to sit on the floor and perform the sit-and-reach activity. Sit-and reach activities require children to place their feet flush against a box and extend their arms in front of them over the surface of the box -- the surface contains prefabricated measurements -- to determine how far the kid can stretch. Have children roll or rotate their fingers, wrists, toes, ankles and neck. Let children know that stretching keeps muscles and tendons flexible and prevents injuries before playing.
Playing catch is a fun way for children to interact and learn basic hand-eye coordination. Encourage children to toss a lightweight ball back and forth. Children will engage their mind and eyes to assess the position of the ball in the air and follow it as it falls. They will also use their hands to catch the ball and move their feet to put themselves into position, if necessary, prior to catching. Have all kids clap and cheer for those who catch the ball and offer positive encouragement to kids who miss the ball.
Tag is a timeless physical health learning activity that incorporates all gross motor skills and offers kids dynamic exercise throughout the day. Tag also encourages the development and maturation of muscles -- requiring those muscles to stop and start very fast and at awkward angles. Kids should function positively together. Ensure that kids cheer on all competitors and support each other while they play. This game is great for building a child's courage and teamwork skills.
Kick ball is a beneficial way to increase lower body strength and to build cardiovascular skills. Set up the game on a playground and teach children the various positions involving the pitcher, the bases and the outfield players. Challenge each child to play his position the best he can and to use teamwork skills to collect and or toss the ball to one another when necessary. Rolling and kicking the ball also build hand-eye coordination and is a lively way for kids to learn the importance of staying active and healthy while also having fun.