Car seats, strollers, and high chairs are great for keeping your little one safe and secure while you are traveling or getting things done at home.
But, if kids spend too much time being sedentary, it can interfere with their motor development. Also, they can get too comfortable being sedentary and less likely to play and be active. This inactivity adds to the rising rate of childhood obesity .
You do not need to engage your child in any serious physical activity, just encourage him to do more of what kids are naturally inclined to do—explore and play. To help your child learn to use muscles and develop coordination, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has exercise guidelines for young children. Just keep in mind that if an activity is too difficult, kids become frustrated and lose motivation to try again.
Engage your infant in some activity every day. This includes setting up safe areas for the infant to play in, playing games with him, and carrying him to different environments to explore. Do not keep infants in baby seats or other restrictive settings for long periods of time.
To encourage your infant to be active, try the following:
As walking skills progress, toddlers have a lot of energy. Encourage them to use it all! Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day. Unstructured activity should exceed 60 minutes. Do not keep your child in a baby seat or inactive for long periods of time.
Try the following:
As kids gain more strength and balance, it is easier for them to get the recommended minimum of one hour of structured physical activity each day. Unstructered activity should take up 1 hour to several hours per day. Some suggestions:
Emphasize fun, not competition. Preschoolers lack the social and cognitive development for organized team sports. Getting involved can leave them frustrated and make them lose interest in sports.
Physical activity should become part of the family's daily routine. This means parents, too! Kids are more likely to stick with it if they see their parents and older siblings being active. Look for chances to fit in exercise and make it a part of your family's lifestyle.
Plan day trips or vacations that include hiking, kayaking, swimming, bicycling, roller skating, skiing, or horseback riding. At home, set limits on TV time and encourage kids to get outside and play. Also, involve the whole family in housework and yard work. Try to make these activities fun.
If you make exercise a priority in your life, your children will likely do the same.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
National Association for Sport & Physical Education
http://www.aahperd.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Healthy Living Unit
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/fitness/
References:
National Association for Sport & Physical Education website. Available at: http://www.aahperd.org/Naspe/ .
Last reviewed May 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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