We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Claire McMurrough SENr
It will provide you with all of the resources you will need to plan and deliver exciting, fun, stimulating, and educational fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 - 4-year-old's.
This course will teach you:
Read more
It will provide you with all of the resources you will need to plan and deliver exciting, fun, stimulating, and educational fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 - 4-year-old's.
This course will teach you:
Read more
It will provide you with all of the resources you will need to plan and deliver exciting, fun, stimulating, and educational fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 - 4-year-old's.
This course will teach you:
Nutrition education for children in their early years
The different stages of a young child's development
The differences between adult and children’s fitness.
How to teach children about fitness and nutrition through fun games and activities.
The importance of learning through play.
How to make lessons inclusive to all children
How to build children's self esteem and confidence
How to confidently deal with challenging behaviors
How to plan and confidently deliver early years fitness and nutrition lessons.
How to create an activity story to teach a topic
You will receive age specific booklets with detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ahb3zl/teach
What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction
Introduction to Fitness and Nutrition for 3 -4 year old's
Meet your teacher
Exercise benefits for 3 - 4 year old's
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction
Introduction to Fitness and Nutrition for 3 -4 year old's
Meet your teacher
Exercise benefits for 3 - 4 year old's
Read more
This quiz will test your knowledge and determine what you have learned so far in modules 1 - 4
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores childhood obesity prevention, which is a growing concern and a relevant topic for early childhood educators and caregivers
Teaches how to create activity stories, which is a creative approach to teaching fitness and nutrition to young children
Covers developmental milestones and motor skills, which are essential for understanding and guiding young children's physical activities
Discusses differences between adult and children’s fitness, which is important for designing safe and effective exercise programs
Addresses dealing with challenging behaviors, which is a common concern for those working with young children in group settings
Requires learners to understand the different exercise types and intensities, which may require some prior knowledge of fitness principles
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Practical fun for preschooler health
According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide for anyone looking to teach food and fitness concepts to 3-4 year olds through engaging activities. Students frequently highlight the useful resources and detailed examples provided, making lesson planning straightforward. Many appreciate the focus on teaching through fun games and play, as well as valuable insights into early years development and managing challenging behaviors. While the content is seen as clear and easy to understand, some more experienced educators note it might be more foundational.
Better suited for beginners or less experienced.
"For someone with prior experience in early childhood education, some parts felt like a review."
"While excellent for newcomers, it might not offer deep dives for experienced professionals."
"It provides a solid foundation but might require supplementary learning for advanced practice."
Content is easy to follow and understand.
"The course content was presented very clearly and was easy for me to follow."
"I appreciated how the concepts were explained in a simple, straightforward manner."
"Great overview of the topic; the pacing felt just right."
"As someone newer to teaching preschoolers, I found the information very accessible."
Helpful insights into development and behavior.
"Learning about early years development and motor skills really helped tailor activities appropriately."
"The guidance on promoting positive behaviors and dealing with challenging ones is invaluable for working with this age group."
"Understanding the differences between adult and children's fitness was a key takeaway for me."
"Insights into topics like shyness and tantrums were practical for the classroom setting."
Provides clear structure for planning lessons.
"The section on how to plan a class, including the 'Mountain Peak' design, gave me a great structure."
"I feel much more confident planning my fitness and nutrition lessons after taking this course."
"The sample class plan provided was a valuable template to get started."
"Understanding the key components of a class and teaching points was very beneficial."
Offers many engaging games and activities.
"The course provides so many practical games and activity ideas that I can use right away."
"I loved the focus on teaching through play; the activities demonstrated were fantastic and easy to replicate."
"The age-specific booklets mentioned were incredibly helpful for getting activity ideas."
"I found the activity stories concept particularly creative and useful for teaching topics."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Teach preschoolers; Food & Fitness Through Play with these
activities:
Review Early Childhood Development Milestones
Show steps
Reviewing early childhood development milestones will help you tailor fitness and nutrition activities to be age-appropriate and effective.
Show steps
-
Research the typical physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones for 3-4 year olds.
-
Create a checklist of milestones to reference when planning activities.
Read 'Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children'
Show steps
Reading this book will provide you with a wide range of practical ideas for incorporating active play into your lessons.
View
Movement Matters
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Obtain a copy of 'Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children'.
-
Read through the book, highlighting activities that seem particularly engaging or adaptable.
-
Note any modifications needed to make the activities inclusive for all children.
Practice Fundamental Movement Skills
Show steps
Practicing fundamental movement skills will improve your ability to teach and demonstrate these skills to young children.
Show steps
-
Identify the key fundamental movement skills (e.g., running, jumping, throwing, catching).
-
Practice each skill, focusing on proper form and technique.
-
Develop variations of each skill to make them more challenging or accessible.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Sample Activity Story
Show steps
Creating your own activity story will solidify your understanding of how to integrate fitness and nutrition concepts into a narrative format.
Show steps
-
Choose a fitness or nutrition topic relevant to 3-4 year olds.
-
Develop a short story that incorporates the chosen topic in a fun and engaging way.
-
Outline the physical activities or movements that will accompany the story.
-
Practice telling the story and leading the activities.
Review 'Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product'
Show steps
Understanding the principles of process-based learning will help you create more engaging and developmentally appropriate activities.
View
Primary Art: It's the Process, Not the Product
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Obtain a copy of 'Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product'.
-
Read the book, focusing on the principles of process-based learning.
-
Reflect on how these principles can be applied to fitness and nutrition activities.
Design a 4-Week Fitness and Nutrition Program
Show steps
Designing a comprehensive program will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the course to a real-world scenario.
Show steps
-
Define the target audience (e.g., a specific preschool class).
-
Set clear and measurable goals for the program.
-
Develop weekly lesson plans that incorporate fitness and nutrition activities.
-
Create assessment tools to track progress and evaluate the program's effectiveness.
Volunteer at a Local Preschool or Daycare
Show steps
Volunteering will provide you with hands-on experience working with young children and implementing fitness and nutrition activities.
Show steps
-
Contact local preschools or daycares to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Assist with existing fitness and nutrition activities or propose new ones.
-
Observe children's responses to different activities and adapt your approach accordingly.
Review Early Childhood Development Milestones
Show steps
Reviewing early childhood development milestones will help you tailor fitness and nutrition activities to be age-appropriate and effective.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the typical physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones for 3-4 year olds.
- Create a checklist of milestones to reference when planning activities.
Read 'Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children'
Show steps
Reading this book will provide you with a wide range of practical ideas for incorporating active play into your lessons.
View
Movement Matters
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Obtain a copy of 'Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children'.
- Read through the book, highlighting activities that seem particularly engaging or adaptable.
- Note any modifications needed to make the activities inclusive for all children.
Practice Fundamental Movement Skills
Show steps
Practicing fundamental movement skills will improve your ability to teach and demonstrate these skills to young children.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the key fundamental movement skills (e.g., running, jumping, throwing, catching).
- Practice each skill, focusing on proper form and technique.
- Develop variations of each skill to make them more challenging or accessible.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Sample Activity Story
Show steps
Creating your own activity story will solidify your understanding of how to integrate fitness and nutrition concepts into a narrative format.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a fitness or nutrition topic relevant to 3-4 year olds.
- Develop a short story that incorporates the chosen topic in a fun and engaging way.
- Outline the physical activities or movements that will accompany the story.
- Practice telling the story and leading the activities.
Review 'Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product'
Show steps
Understanding the principles of process-based learning will help you create more engaging and developmentally appropriate activities.
View
Primary Art: It's the Process, Not the Product
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Obtain a copy of 'Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product'.
- Read the book, focusing on the principles of process-based learning.
- Reflect on how these principles can be applied to fitness and nutrition activities.
Design a 4-Week Fitness and Nutrition Program
Show steps
Designing a comprehensive program will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the course to a real-world scenario.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Define the target audience (e.g., a specific preschool class).
- Set clear and measurable goals for the program.
- Develop weekly lesson plans that incorporate fitness and nutrition activities.
- Create assessment tools to track progress and evaluate the program's effectiveness.
Volunteer at a Local Preschool or Daycare
Show steps
Volunteering will provide you with hands-on experience working with young children and implementing fitness and nutrition activities.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Contact local preschools or daycares to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Assist with existing fitness and nutrition activities or propose new ones.
- Observe children's responses to different activities and adapt your approach accordingly.
Career center
Learners who complete Teach preschoolers; Food & Fitness Through Play will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Preschool Teacher
Preschool Teacher
A Preschool Teacher fosters a child's development through creative activities and play-based learning. This course directly aligns with the role, providing resources to plan and deliver engaging fitness and nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course covers early childhood development stages and how to make lessons inclusive. This course will help you teach fitness and nutrition through fun games, build children's self-esteem, handle challenging behaviors, and plan effective lessons. Any aspiring Preschool Teacher will find this course beneficial for developing specialized skills in integrating health and wellness into the classroom. Moreover, it will teach you how to create activity stories to teach a topic.
Childcare Provider
Childcare Provider
Childcare Providers look after children's wellbeing and plan activities for them. This course is very useful, equipping you with the tools to create exciting fitness and nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. The material covers nutrition education, the different stages of a young child's development, and the difference between adult and children's fitness. You'll learn how to teach through fun games and activities, build children's self-esteem, manage challenging behaviors, and confidently deliver lessons. The course's focus on creating inclusive activities and activity stories makes it highly relevant for any Childcare Provider aiming to enhance their skill set.
Early Childhood Educator
Early Childhood Educator
The Early Childhood Educator is responsible for shaping young minds through educational and engaging activities. This course is a strong fit as it provides the resources needed to plan and deliver exciting fitness and nutrition lessons tailored for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course content includes essential topics such as nutrition education, understanding the stages of a child's development, and adapting fitness activities for children. You will also learn how to teach through play, make activities inclusive, build children's self-esteem, handle challenging behaviors, and create activity stories. Aspiring Early Childhood Educators can leverage this knowledge to create more comprehensive and impactful learning experiences.
Recreation Leader
Recreation Leader
Recreation Leaders design and supervise recreational activities for children. The course is beneficial, as it provides the resources to create engaging fitness and nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. You'll learn about nutrition education, child development stages, and the differences between adult and children's fitness. The emphasis on teaching through fun games, creating inclusive activities, and building children's self-esteem is highly relevant. The course's instruction on confidently handling challenging behaviors and planning effective lessons is particularly useful for Recreation Leaders who want to incorporate health and wellness into their programs.
Fitness Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Fitness Instructors lead exercise classes and guide individuals in achieving their fitness goals. While typically working with adults, this course offers a specialized focus on children aged 3 to 4. It will provide you with the resources to plan and deliver exciting fitness and nutrition lessons tailored for this age group. The course emphasizes the differences between adult and children's fitness, teaching fitness through fun games, making lessons inclusive, and building self-esteem. The course's content will help Fitness Instructors to broaden their expertise and cater to a younger clientele.
Health Educator
Health Educator
Health Educators promote wellness and healthy lifestyles within communities. This course may be useful, providing you with the resources to plan and deliver engaging nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course focuses on nutrition education, understanding child development, and teaching through play. The course's content helps Health Educators who want to develop programs aimed at young children and their parents. You will find value in the specific activities and exercises designed for this age group.
Camp Counselor
Camp Counselor
Camp Counselors supervise children in a camp setting. This course may be helpful, providing resources to plan and deliver exciting fitness and nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course content covers early childhood development and teaches you how to make activities inclusive for all children. Counselors can draw on the knowledge they've gained to incorporate fun, educational fitness and nutrition activities into daily camp routines. The course’s focus on building self-esteem and managing challenging behaviors is beneficial for Camp Counselors.
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric Nurses specialize in caring for children's health needs. Although not directly related to nursing, this course may offer value, as the course provides some understanding of nutrition for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course touches on early childhood development stages and the difference between adult and children's fitness, which can inform a nurse's approach to patient care. A Pediatric Nurse might find the principles of teaching through play and creating inclusive activities indirectly relevant in communicating with young patients and their families.
School Counselor
School Counselor
School Counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional development. This course may be marginally useful, providing you with some resources to plan and deliver engaging nutrition lessons for 3 to 4-year-olds. The course focuses on building self-esteem in children and handling challenging behaviors. A School Counselor might find this information relevant when working with very young students. This is especially true when planning activities that promote wellness.
Nutritionist
Nutritionist
Nutritionists advise people on matters of food and nutrition and their impact on health. This course may be useful for a Nutritionist who wants to work with young children. The course will provide insight into nutrition for 3 to 4-year-olds and the differences between adult and children’s fitness. This can inform a Nutritionist's approach to their work with children and families. An emphasis on teaching early years nutrition and understanding healthy eating guides is helpful when working with children.
Dietitian
Dietitian
Dietitians plan meal programs to treat specific medical conditions. This course may be useful for dietitians who want to expand their understanding of nutrition for young children. The course will provide limited insight into nutrition for 3 to 4-year-olds and the differences between adult and children’s fitness. This can inform a Dietitian's approach to their work with children and families. An emphasis on teaching early years nutrition and understanding healthy eating guides may be helpful when working with children.
Health and Wellness Coach
Health and Wellness Coach
Health and Wellness Coaches guide people toward healthier lifestyles. This course may be useful for a Health and Wellness Coach who specializes in working with children. The course will allow the coach to plan and deliver fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 to 4 year olds. The course focuses on teaching early years nutrition and making games inclusive for all children.
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher educate children with special education needs. This course may be useful for a Special Education Teacher. The course focuses on how to make lessons inclusive to all children, and how to confidently deal with challenging behaviors. This may be useful in the classroom setting.
Daycare Owner
Daycare Owner
Daycare Owners manage and operate daycare facilities. It is useful if the Daycare Owner wants to plan and deliver fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 to 4 year olds. The course focuses on teaching early years nutrition and making games inclusive for all children.
Community Health Worker
Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers provide education and support to community members. This course is relevant for Community Health Workers who focus on early childhood health. It will provide you with the resources to plan and deliver fitness and nutrition lessons to 3 to 4 year olds. The course focuses on teaching early years nutrition, childhood obesity prevention and making games inclusive for all children.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ahb3zl/teach
Reading list
We've selected two books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Teach preschoolers; Food & Fitness Through Play.
Save
Provides a wealth of ideas for engaging young children in physical activity through play. It offers practical suggestions for games, activities, and exercises that are developmentally appropriate and fun. It can be a valuable resource for generating new ideas and adapting existing activities to suit the needs of different children. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a practical guide to implementing the concepts learned.
Save
Emphasizes the importance of process-based art activities for preschoolers. While not directly related to fitness or nutrition, it provides valuable insights into how young children learn and explore through creative expression. Understanding this approach can help you create more engaging and developmentally appropriate fitness and nutrition activities. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a framework for understanding how young children learn.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ahb3zl/teach
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser