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Toys that Encourage Physical ActivityIf you’re the parent of a toddler, you may find yourself wondering when he will ever slow down. Toddlers seem to run from one place to the next, never quite walking, and many preschoolers are just as busy. You know the benefits of physical exercise for you, and they are similar for children: better sleep, a more efficient metabolism, and weight control. What are the guidelines, then, for exercise for toddlers and preschoolers, and what toys best encourage physical activity? How Much Activity? The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has established guidelines for physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers. According to the NASPE, toddlers should be exposed to at least thirty minutes of planned physical activities daily, and this time should be spread throughout the day. Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in at least one hour of unstructured physical activity daily, and, except for time spent sleeping, should not be sedentary for more than one hour at a time. Since toddlers and preschoolers rarely seem sedentary, working this amount of physical activity into a daily schedule should not be difficult. Playgrounds, parks, and your own backyard provide plenty of opportunities for unstructured physical activity, and there are many toys available to encourage an hour’s worth of planned physical activity a day. The Classics Pull toys – the old fashioned ducks, dogs, and other creatures on wheels – encourage young toddlers to walk. Soft balls and beanbags will encourage children to develop the skill of overhand throwing, and can usually be safely used indoors on days when the weather prevents outdoor play. Simple workbenches that encourage toddlers to hammer pegs into holes develop their coordination skills and encourage them to move. Remember Twister? For children old enough to recognize colors, this game is excellent for encouraging movement, and again, can be used indoors. Kickballs and basketballs encourage running, kicking, and develop a sense of balance. You can set up a simple obstacle course that encourages children to move through a path. Try using Hula Hoops, boxes, and jump ropes placed in pattern that your child has to negotiate. Learning to jump rope requires complex skills of balance and coordination; provide jump ropes that are soft enough to be safe but heavy enough to twirl, and encourage your child to try out this classic toy. Pop-up tunnels and play structures, often designed for indoor or outdoor use, will encourage children to bend, twist, and stretch as they crawl through them, playing hide and seek and developing both their imaginations and engaging in physical activity. Don’t forget music. Put on some dance tunes, and encourage your children to twist, shout, bend, and move. Unlike adults, they won’t be discouraged by a lack of ability or worry who is watching. Set an Example, Provide the Basics If your child sees that you value physical activity, he will, too. Turn off the television and move, whether it be up and down the sliding board, on a walk through the park, or a more structured game of kickball or hide and seek. An hour or so of time spent in physical activity is not much out of your child’s day, and the benefits are invaluable. Think of it this way: the more your child moves during the day, the easier it will be to get him to go down for a nap or bedtime, which is an added bonus for a tired parent! |
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