Preschool laziness in toddlers

HOWARD COUNTY - A new study in the Journal of Pediatrics claims most toddlers and preschoolers aren't getting enough exercise to have a healthy lifestyle, but Howard County has a way to combat that.

Howard Community College Children's Learning Center is trying to incorporate exercise in creative ways.

Kimberley Pins, MS, Director of the Children's Learning Center says, "You want to have a balanced program, you don't want one area to outweigh the others. So if you give importance to all three, the nutrition, academics and the physical activity you're going to have a well-rounded child."

The study claims preschoolers are spending too much time indoors staring at computer screens and video games, and are not getting enough physical activity.

The Children's Learning Center is offering a program with activities that have a more hands-on approach to encourage children to be creative with play time.

"If they learn healthy habits during the ages 2,3,4,and 5 they're going to maintain those habits and when they reach their teen years they won't be inclined to spend time on the couch. They'll want to spend time outdoors and they know when they go to the fridge, to grab an apple," said Pins.

Howard County is on the forefront when it comes to being a healthy community.

Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard County Health Officer says "We've done that with Healthy Howard health plans, with healthy restaurants, healthy schools. What the study is saying is that we are preparing our kids better academically but not physically for going to school. What we are trying to do in Howard County is set preschool guidelines to make sure kids get prepared academically and prepared physically in terms of being in good health before going to elementary school. ”