Guidelines for Some Physical Fitness-Enhancing Games for Preschool Children in Vietnam

Guidelines for Some Physical Fitness-Enhancing Games for Preschool Children in Vietnam

According to Appendix 2 issued with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022, the guidelines for certain physical fitness-enhancing games for preschool children are as follows:

(1). Physical fitness-enhancing game: ELIMINATE HARMFUL ANIMALS

* Objective:

- Train reflexes, breathing, concentration, and develop intelligence;

- Foster a sense of discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Organize students into 1-4 horizontal rows or standing in a circle facing the center;

- When the teacher calls out beneficial animals such as: buffalo, cow, pig, chicken, duck, goose, goat, dog, etc., all students remain silent. If anyone shouts “Eliminate,” they are penalized and must hop around the circle.

- When the teacher calls out harmful animals like: flies, mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches, ants, termites, etc., all students shout “Eliminate! Eliminate! Eliminate!” while performing gestures imitating swatting flies or mosquitoes.

* Utilization:

- Based on the purpose of the game and the lesson content to use as a warm-up exercise or a recovery exercise suitable for physical education teaching principles.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline during play and learning.

(2). Physical fitness-enhancing game: RELAY RACING

* Objective:

- Train running skills, develop speed and coordination, and foster a sense of teamwork;

- Encourage discipline and collective spirit, help and motivate peers during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: Mark the start and finish lines 6-8 meters apart. Organize the class into 2-4 vertical rows behind the starting line, with equal numbers in each row.

- Gameplay: At the signal, the first students in each row run quickly around the finish line and back to the starting line to pass on an object to the next person, who then runs like the first, continuing until the last person. The team that finishes first with the fewest rule violations wins.

- Rule Violations:

• Starting before the signal or before the previous player’s touch;

• Not circling the flag.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as a skill training exercise to develop speed and coordination in group activities.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(3). Physical fitness-enhancing game: THROWING BALLS INTO TARGETS

* Objective:

- Train hand dexterity, accuracy, and throwing skills;

- Foster discipline and collective spirit, help and motivate peers during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: 2-4 boxes or buckets as targets and 10 to 20 small rubber or plastic balls for throwing. Mark two boundary lines and a target line, the distance depending on the player’s ability.

- Gameplay: Students from each team take turns from the preparation position, move to the boundary line aligned with the target. Each throws 3-5 balls into the target boxes. Points are scored for balls landing in the boxes. After throwing, each retrieves their balls for the next player, continuing until all have played. The team with the highest score wins.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as an exercise in hand dexterity and spatial awareness.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(4). Physical fitness-enhancing game: DWARF RELAY

* Objective:

- Train leg strength and balance;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: Mark preparation, starting, and finishing lines. The preparation line is 1.5 meters from the starting line, with the finishing line 5-8 meters away. Organize students into 2-4 vertical rows behind the preparation line with equal numbers. The first student in each row moves to the starting line, crouches low mimicking a dwarf position, and either hands off hips or naturally.

- Gameplay: At the signal, the first students from each team mimic dwarfs to the finish line and return to pass to the next player until all have played. The team finishing first with the fewest rule violations wins.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as a physical education exercise to develop leg strength and balance.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(5). Physical fitness-enhancing game: RUNNING TO THE WHISTLE

* Objective:

- Train reflexes, running skills, and speed;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: 1 whistle, organize students into 1-2 concentric circles, each student 1.5-2 meters apart.

- Gameplay: At the signal, all students start running, gradually increasing speed (the instructor can use verbal cues or clapping to set the pace). When the whistle sounds, reverse running direction.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as a warm-up exercise and physical education drill for reflex training and speed development.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(6). Physical fitness-enhancing game: NETTING FISH

* Objective:

- Train running skills, develop speed and dexterity;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: Divide the class into 2 teams, one team pretending to be the net and fish catchers holding hands in a slightly curved line, and the other team as fish running freely in the yard.

- Gameplay: At the signal, the net and fish catchers gradually form a circle to catch the fish. The fish must quickly and skillfully escape through the net ends or crawl under it. The caught fish remains within the circle and the game continues. Teams then switch roles, and the game proceeds with the team catching the most players losing.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as a warm-up exercise and physical education drill for running skills, speed, and dexterity.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(7). Physical fitness-enhancing game: STAND UP-SIT DOWN ON COMMAND

* Objective:

- Train reflexes and concentration;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- Preparation: Organize the class into 2-4 vertical rows each student 0.8-1 meter apart or 1-2 concentric circles facing inward with each student at least 0.5 meter apart.

- Gameplay: At the signal (“sit” or one whistle blow), all quickly sit down. At the signal (“stand” or two quick whistle blows), all must quickly stand up or remain standing. Mistakes result in penalties such as hopping around or singing a song.

* Utilization:

- Based on the game’s purpose and lesson content to use as a warm-up exercise and physical education drill for reflex training and concentration.

- The game is used in extracurricular educational activities, fostering diverse content, enhancing activity effectiveness, and reinforcing discipline and collective spirit during play and learning.

(8). Physical fitness-enhancing game: ROWING

* Objective:

- Train reflexes and coordinated movements;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- The teacher instructs children to sit on the ground in vertical rows by groups of 5 to 10 children.

- Position the children in a V shape, each holding the shoulders of the one in front. Lean forward slightly, then bend backward, pushing while chanting: “Row the boat, ho dzô ta. Row the boat, dzô ta!”

(9). Physical fitness-enhancing game: RABBITS SWITCH BURROWS

* Objective:

- Train reflexes and agility;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

- The teacher prepares 10-15 rabbit hats (The number of hats should exceed 1/3 of the children).

- Select 1/3 of the children to be Rabbits and the remaining 2/3 to form burrows, held by pairs of children forming a circle. There will be more Rabbits than burrows. Rabbits move around foraging, singing or reciting rabbit-themed songs or poems. At the command “Nightfall” or “Rain,” Rabbits must quickly find a burrow to enter. Any Rabbit without a burrow upon the signal must switch roles for the next round.

The instructor may change the signal to a whistle for variation. Short whistles indicate Rabbits should forage further but stay alert. A long whistle signifies dashing to find a burrow.

Children portraying Rabbits run slowly in a circle around the school. At the signal, they must immediately find the nearest burrow. This way, Rabbits constantly move around instead of staying close to one burrow.

Game rule: Each burrow holds only one Rabbit.

(10). Physical fitness-enhancing game: THROWING BALLS INTO BASIN

* Objective:

- Train reflexes, focus, and coordinated movements;

- Foster discipline during gameplay.

* Content and Gameplay:

The teacher prepares 2 basins, 6 balls, and marks a line a set distance from the basins.

Position the basins 1.5-2 meters from the line, spaced 1 meter apart.

Divide the children into 2 groups lining up behind the marked line, taking turns to stand at the line and throw 3 balls per person on command. The instructor suggests ways to prevent balls from bouncing out of the basin. After throwing, children retrieve the balls for the next turn.

Children take turns until each has played.

Game rule: The team with the most balls landing in the basins wins.

Guidelines for Some Physical Fitness-Enhancing Games for Preschool Children in Vietnam (Image from the Internet)

What are roles of physical activities in development of children's physical and mental health in Vietnam?

According to subsection 2, Section 2, Part 1 of the Guidelines on Organizing School Meals Combined with Physical Activity Enhancement for Children and Students in Preschool and Primary Education Institutions issued with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022, the roles of physical activities in development of children's physical and mental health in Vietnam are as follows:

- Helps develop height effectively;

- Increases bone and muscle strength;

- Improves health, agility, speed, strength, and endurance;

- Helps students balance energy and maintain appropriate body weight;

- Enhances blood circulation, contributing to a healthy heart;

- Enhances mental alertness, intelligence, and academic performance;

- Reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, overweight, obesity, myopia, diabetes, etc.;

- Helps students develop necessary life skills such as cooperation, teamwork, sense of responsibility, adaptability ...;

- Helps in forming and fostering character traits like patience, courage, decisiveness, discipline...;

- Relieves stress, improves the ability to assimilate new knowledge, and boosts self-confidence.

What are regulations on the intensity of physical activity for preschool children in Vietnam?

According to subsection 2, Section 2, Part 1 of the Guidelines on Organizing School Meals Combined with Physical Activity Enhancement for Children and Students in Preschool and Primary Education Institutions issued with Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT in 2022, the intensity of physical activity for the health and intellectual development of preschool children is as follows:

Physical activity can be divided into three intensity levels:

- Light physical activity: includes daily activities such as slow walking, personal hygiene, classroom cleaning, etc. Light intensity activities constitute the majority of daily physical activity but consume very little energy and do not benefit cardiovascular health or counter overweight.

- Moderate physical activity: involves activities that increase heart rate to about 60-70% of the maximum heart rate and breathing rate. These activities make participants pant and heartbeat increase. Such activities occur less often daily but benefit health and should be done for at least 60 minutes daily.

- Vigorous physical activity: involves activities that increase the maximum heart rate. Activities in this category include soccer, sprinting, mountain climbing, multiple stair climbing, etc. These activities are beneficial for health and should be increased in the total of 60-minute daily exercise.