Young Aucklanders can be forgiven if they're in a spin this month, as they roly-poly the length of the harbour bridge (1020m) in the name of fitness.
The Auckland Kindergarten Association is asking its pupils to complete 1000 rolls as part of its awareness month to highlight developmentproblems caused by lack of activity among under-5s.
General manager Tanya Harvey said too many preschoolers had poor balance and a lack of spatial awareness. She blamed shrinking backyards, too much TV time and children being carried when they could walk. But activities like forward rolls and side rolls can help littlies develop, said Ms Harvey.
Te Atatu Peninsula Kindergarten head teacher Shelley Shennan expected each of the centre's 60 children to join the challenge. Kiara Logan, 4, was particularly enthusiastic, doing 49 roly-polies in the first two days, said Ms Shennan.
"Our top two at the moment are two girls."
Last year, the children aimed for the more modest distance of roly-polying the height of the Sky Tower (328m) - and kept rolling well after the target was reached.
"They still love to do it," said Ms Shennan.
Among other activities promoted for the awareness month are pass-the-parcel and throwing small bean bags at a target. It is run in co-operation with Sport and Recreation's Push Play programme.
