Early Childhood Exercise
Angela Oswalt, MSW, Natalie Staats Reiss, Ph.D and Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.Beyond just healthy eating, adequate sleep, and proper hygiene, young children also need plenty of exercise to keep their bodies and minds healthy and happy. Daily physical activity is necessary for building strong bones and muscles as well as strengthening hearts and lungs. Exercise also helps young children to improve their gross motor skills, including running, kicking, throwing, and swinging. Regular physical activity can greatly decrease children's risk of becoming obese and developing associated health problems, as well as promoting better sleep. As well, since many young children play with other kids, exercise time can also help young children to develop good social skills such as sharing, communicating, and empathizing.
Play time can also become a family experience which serves to bond family members together and allow adult members an opportunity to model healthy exercise habits for children. Exercise also helps young children develop a healthy self-image and positive self-esteem as they take pride in their physical accomplishments. The exhilaration that comes with running, laughing, and playing can also boost a child's mood. This leads to one of the most important reasons kids should play outside: it's fun!
The USDA recommends that children of all ages get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days. However, exercise doesn't have to be boring and monotonous. Families can take walks together, ride bicycles, play baseball, basketball, football, catch, or engage in numerous other sports in the backyard. Little ones can spend hours playing on the jungle gym at the playground with their friends. Adults can create and supervise races, obstacle courses, etc. that are age-appropriate and safe. Children may also be entered into developmentally appropriate community-based sports leagues and activities. Whatever form children's physical activity takes, caregivers should do what they can to make sure appropriate safety precautions are taken so as to reduce the risk of injury, including skin damage from overexposure to the sun. See our safety information section later in this article for more information on how to help children remain safe.
Summertime offers children the widest array of opportunities for physical expression. However, physical activity can still take place in the winter. Little ones can join in a "dance party" in the living room or "work out" with Mom while she does an exercise video. Some newer video game consoles or games encourage physical activity by making the player stand up and move around to win the game. In addition, families can enjoy indoor fun nights at a bowling alley or skating rink. Children can take indoor lessons (e.g., swimming, ice skating, gymnastics, karate, or dance) or join indoor sports teams (e.g, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey). Many facilities offer scholarships or reduced fees to families who otherwise cannot afford to pay for these activities.
Resources
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Articles
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
- Introduction- Development During Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Average Growth
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Gross and Fine Motor Development
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Introduction
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Symbolic Function
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Intuitive Thought
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Information Processing
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Language Development
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Emotional Expressiveness and Understanding
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Reflective Empathy
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Aggression
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Identity and Self-Esteem
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections Continued
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Conclusion
- Early Childhood Moral Development
- Early Childhood Moral Development Continued
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality Continued
- Early Childhood Conclusion
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Parenting Your Todder, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Introduction to Parenting Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Early Childhood Feeding and Nutrition
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Continued
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Conclusion
- Early Childhood Sleep
- Early Childhood Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Hygiene
- Early Childhood Hygiene Continued
- Early Childhood Exercise
- Early Childhood Love and Nurturing
- Early Childhood: It's Important to Encourage Reading
- Early Childhood Medical Care
- Early Childhood Mental Health Care
- Early Childhood Safety
- Coping with Transitions in Early Childhood: Getting a New Sibling or Remaining an Only Child
- Coping with Transition: in Early Childhood: Going to Daycare
- Coping with Transition: Starting Preschool or Kindergarten and Final Conclusions
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Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Introduction
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Children's Readiness
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Family Readiness and Red Flags
- Pre-Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Preparing the Space for Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Toilet Training-Friendly Clothing
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Continued
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Conclusion
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Travel
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Constipation and Fear of Flushing
- Bedwetting, Encopresis and Enuresis, and Conclusions
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Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Parents as Disciplinarians in Early Childhood
- Preventing Early Childhood Misbehavior Before it Happens
- The Use of Choice in Early Childhood
- A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Discipline Children in Early Childhood
- Natural and Logical Consequences in Early Childhood
- Combining Choice and Consequences in Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Time Outs
- Spanking in Early Childhood
- Coordinating to Provide Continuity of Early Childhood Discipline Across Caregivers
- Lying in Early Childhood
- Supportive Communication in Early Childhood and Discipline Conclusion
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Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Creating Nurturing Space in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Gross Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Fine Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Continued
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Conclusion
- Social Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Emotional Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cultural and Spiritual Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Nurturing at Home and Outside the Home and Nurturing Conclusions
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Child and Adolescent Development Theories
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Infants: Parenting and Child Development
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
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Links
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Videos
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- The Breakdown on Bedwetting
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- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 18: The School Years: Psychosocial Development
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- Safe Seats for Baby
- 3 Tips on Swim Safety
- Big Kids Need a Boost
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- Your Active Preschooler: Could it be ADHD?
- Sunscreen Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
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- How do I get my child to eat new foods?
- Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood
- 6 tips to help your children control their emotions
- Recognizing challenging behaviors in young children: Could it be ADHD?
- Classroom Managment Supports for ADHD Behaviors in Preschool Settings
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