An Introduction to Active Movement Koringa Hihiko - Sport New ...

SECTION A
7
The challenge for our future development and quality
of life as we move into the twenty-first century is to
be knowledgeable about and value the importance of
Active Movement and suitable nutrition to all learning
and development. Modern life with its mass explosion of
technological advancements has many advantages and
disadvantages that create inactive environments for children
in the early years and their later teen years. Strategies
critical to countering the sedentary environment that our
technological age is imposing on us are central to this.
The amount of time children in their early years spend on
Active Movement and physical activity has decreased for
many reasons, including
> changing parenting trends, styles and parenting aids;
> the creation of new pastimes and games such as
computers and game consoles;
> limited opportunities for play;
> ever-increasing pressures on time;
> inactive role models;
> over concern for safety.
We know active people are
healthier and can live longer.
The World Health Organization
identifies children and
young people as a specific
population group that must
be supported to be
physically active. The
New Zealand Health
Strategy identifies physical activity as a priority, and children
and young people have been prioritised within the Ministry
of Health’s Healthy Eating – Healthy Action Strategy 2003.
Active Movement
plays the foundational
role in early childhood
development in
Aotearoa New Zealand.