Physical activity and young children

Daily physical activity is good for young children in many ways.When you have fun and are part of your child's game everything is enjoyable and fun.

Daily physical activity: focus on fun

When choosing physical activity for babies, toddlers and preschool children, focus on fun activities.

If children enjoy what they do, they will continue to do so. And physical activities in which children enjoy increase the ability to move well.

Physical activity can be part of a child's daily play and can start too early in life.

Physical activity for children 0-2 years

Babies aged 0-12 months need many opportunities for free movement, as long as they are in a safe environment.The environment encourages the child to explore and develop his skills.In the earliest childhood, crawling, sitting, rolling are sufficient activity.

Your child can be active inside and out.To be out there can provide endless opportunities to use muscle, think creatively and learn more about the environment.

Before the baby can walk

Even small babies like to stretch and play.A large blanket on the floor (or on the grass outside) and time spent lying on your stomach, can be safe to practice raising your head. This helps to develop strong muscles.Some pediatricians recommend at least 30 minutes of lying on your stomach, distributed in several parts throughout the day.

With a blanket on the ground or on the floor is also a great place for a baby to learn to roll, crawl and sit. If you put a toy in this place, so encourage your baby to make extra efforts to reach them. This can help physical development.

Bright colors, drawings of dots or squares or stars, shiny surfaces, changing textures and different sounds can be of interest to your child.Therefore, it is not always extremely urgent to buy expensive toys, but you can use things in the home that do not pose a threat.

If you put the baby on the floor, be sure to eliminate potential dangers at the level of the baby.

When the baby starts walking

This is a great time to look for objects and activities that encourage movement.For example, when you help a child climb the ladder to the local playground, you build his self-esteem and balance. You also prepare the way for the child only to climb the stairs in the future.

Playing with your child you can throw a small ball while learning to run, jump, dance and encourage him to continue.

Physical activity for children 2-5 years

Preschool children need enough time to walk and play.Palaces, school playgrounds, empty sports grounds, adventure playgrounds, school playgrounds, parks, paths and the beach are great places for children of this age.

Here are some ideas for physical entertainment:

Use a large, soft ball to practice catching, hitting, bouncing and kicking.Start with something small and easy by holding a small tennis ball.When the spaces are unsafe the ball can put in a coiled sock.

Some games include different types of movements.For example, get your child to chase bubbles, walk along the lines of chalk, collect shells and jump over puddles or cracks in the ground.

Play different types of music or sounds with voice, or instruments. This can encourage dancing and a sense of rhythm.

Invent a few walks and run with your child. You can go crazy together imitating a monkey, jumping like a bunny or clapping like a bird.

When your child is ready, let him try riding a bike, scooter or tricycle under your supervision. He might also enjoy playing with thrusting toys like trucks, doll carts and lawn mowing toys.

Leave the vehicle at home and walk to the local library, park or shops on foot and without the stroller.

How much physical activity does your child need?

Children and preschool age should be physically active every day for at least three hours, distributed throughout the day. This should include an energy game like running or jumping.

Organized physical activity and sports

When is the right time to enroll your child for organized sports?

If your younger child is interested in organized sports, it is worth looking for an uncompetitive sport.Some sports offer modified versions for preschool children.Other options can be dancing, gymnastics or swimming.

With modified sports and junior physical activities programs, the focus is usually to bring children into structured sports, develop physical and social skills and get everyone to develop. This is beneficial because there is no need to make young children apply perfect technique or win and lose. It's more important for them to learn to have fun with the game, to be active and train hard.

If you think your child is ready for organized sports, you can talk to other parents about sports and physical activity programs and classes in your area. Also talk to people in the program and even the instructor about the age group in which to enroll your child.Go along and watch the other kids play. This is a good way to build a program are children in which they have fun.