Physical Activity Is a Year-Round Priority for Children's Well-Being

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Nov 12, 2013) - The warm, lingering sunlight of summer has given way to shorter days and cooler temperatures, and each day offers fewer hours of sunlight for children to run and play outside. But the need for regular physical activity for children isn't seasonal, according to the childhood development professionals at The Little Gym, so it's important to make it a priority all year long.

Ruk Adams, President and CEO, The Little Gym International, recommends that parents and caregivers look for fun, safe and creative ways to get kids up and moving, even when busy schedules and fewer hours of daylight mean bringing the activities indoors. "Let your children crawl through 'tunnels' made out of cartons or scale 'mountains' built with couch cushions," says Adams. "Or put on some up-beat music, push back the furniture, and dance!"

The Little Gym is another great option for busy families, according to Adams. With fun programs that channel children's energy into developing new skills, The Little Gym gives parents a year-round solution that fits easily into hectic family schedules. In addition, many locations offer Holiday and Winter Camp programs during weeks when school is not in session. Each camp day features a different, creative lesson plan -- and parents can sign their kids up for a full week or just a day at a time.

With the holidays just around the corner, The Little Gym also offers some unique gift ideas to keep kids active:

• The Little Gym Gift Certificates are a creative way to provide the lasting gifts of friendship, confidence and self-esteem.
• The Little Gym Music, available on CD at Walmart stores and through Walmart.com or via digital download through iTunes and Amazon.com. These originally composed music CD's include classic The Little Gym songs designed to get kids moving, learning and having fun.

"Regular physical activity in childhood not only offers immediate benefits, but also has a long-term impact on a child's well-being as an adult," says Adams. "Instilling healthy habits at an early age can help reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses and contribute to the development of a healthy body image. It can also help children perform better in class and can be critical to children's future emotional well-being in both their personal and professional lives."

Gift Certificates, and Holiday and Winter Camps are available at select The Little Gym locations. For more information, please visit www.TheLittleGym.com.

About The Little Gym
The Little Gym is an internationally recognized program that helps children build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood.

The very first location was established in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator with a genuine love for children. The Little Gym International, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., was formed in 1992 to franchise The Little Gym concept. Today, The Little Gym International has more than 300 locations in 29 countries. For more information, visit The Little Gym at www.TheLittleGym.com.