ABSTRACT
Does children's play promote growth and fitness development? What is physical fitness and why should children be fit? How can parents, educators, play leaders and concerned individuals enhance children's vigorous play experiences? This chapter discusses these questions and examines some current attitudes toward fitness play (physical activity). Many children have adopted inactive life-styles. Children's natural play spaces have become city slums and the population explosion has reduced available space for play areas. Opportunities for physical activity have been reduced: many children are bussed to school; spontaneous vigorous play has been replaced by organized sports leagues where more time is spent on the sidelines than playing; and physical education and outdoor recreation programmes are given low priority in times of budget restraint. The results are alarming: children who are unable to complete four simple fitness measures, an increase in postural defects and obesity, and an increased use of medication for emotional problems.
