Move!

It is important for children to be active every day. Some children love to be active and some do not. Some children may feel unsuccessful at running, throwing balls and climbing. Take time to play with your children and teach them how to run, throw balls and other fun physical activities. Take quiet walks and discover other ways to be active. There are movement activities that can meet every child’s interests and abilities.

Tips for movement with children

When children are very active for a total of one hour a day, it can:

• Prevent obesity
• Increase school performance
• Enhance brain development and cognitive functioning
• Assist bone growth
• Improve social and emotional development

How do you get children to move?

• Turn off the TV, computer and video games.
• Require that children go out and play or play active games at home.
• Take them to the park.
• Provide room at home for rolling on the floor and dancing.
• Walk with them.
• Make activity a daily routine for the whole family.

Activity Ideas for Infants

• Place babies on a blanket on the floor and give them some tummy time.
• Tummy time should not be immediately after eating.
• Allow babies lots of time on the floor to turn over, crawl and later walk.
• Limit the time in baby swings and infant seats.
• Play active games, such as rolling a ball, or crawling with your baby.
• Attach bells or rattles to Velcro^® or elastic and put on your baby’s foot to encourage kicking.
• Place a mobile above your baby so that he will just touch the figures on it when his arms are raised.
• Follow a crawling baby around, and then crawl in front of the baby to play “Follow the Leader.”
• Place a blanket over a toy and encourage the baby to get it.
• Place a toy just out of reach and encourage the baby to crawl or scoot to it.
• Play “Peek-a-Boo.”
• Dance while holding the baby. Soon, the baby will be moving to the music without you.

Activity Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

• Buy balls of different sizes.
• Set up obstacle courses with pillows.
• Play “Hide and Seek.”
• Turn on music and dance with your child.
• Plan a family walk for most nights.
• Go to the park together.
• Provide children’s videos that encourage movement.
• Toddlers need 90 minutes of physical activity each day.
• Toddlers and preschoolers should not sit still for longer than 60 minutes at a time.
• Tiptoe, walk, hop, run and jump with your toddler.
• Play “Follow the Leader” around the house.
• Practice walking like different animals.
• Dance, dance, dance!
• Make an inexpensive balance beam by using a piece of lumber. Choose one that is wider than a “2 x 4” and put it on the ground for toddlers to walk across. As they get better change to a “2 x 4” to give them more challenge.
• Provide push toys that the toddler can walk and push at the same time.

Activity Ideas for Preschoolers

• Dance, dance, dance!
• Play “Hide and Seek.”
• Play “Red Light, Green Light.” (When you say “green light” and turn away from the child, he can run. When you turn around quickly and say “red light”, he must stop.)
• Play “Simon Says.” Be sure to say active things such as “touch your toes” or “hop up and down.”
• Walk while your child rides his bike.
• Blow bubbles for the child to chase, then let him blow the bubbles.
• Make a mud puddle by running water outside in an area with dirt and let your child jump, splash and play.
• Give two paper plates or pieces of paper to your child and let him skate around your uncarpeted rooms to music.
• Blow up balloons, and together, you and your child must keep them from falling to the ground while not holding them.
• Cut off the top of a gallon milk jug and cover the edges in electric tape so they’re not sharp. Then toss tennis balls to your child and let him try to catch them in the jug.
• Play “Follow the Leader.”
• Jump rope with your child.
• Remember the old nursery rhymes with movement such as “London Bridge” and “Ring Around the Rosie?” Children love the rhythms and movement, and the songs prepare children for reading as well.