subject: How you can keep toddlers active? [print this page] According to the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), children between the ages of 12 to 36 months old should get at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led) and at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (free play) every day. In addition, toddlers shouldn't be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except for sleeping.
At Home
You're in the driver's seat when you're the one taking care of your child. To limit sedentary time, don't let your child spend too much time in strollers, car seats, and high chairs. All these can keep kids from being active enough.
Limiting televisionis another good way to help keep your child physically active. TV, including videos and DVDs, is not recommended at all for kids under age 2. Those guidelines relax for older toddlers, but kids don'tneed to watch any TV. Even educational programs aren't as enriching as real-life activities, such as figuring out how a toy works, playing games, or singing songs together.
If you choose to allow some TV time for your older toddler, try to follow this guideline: No more than 1 to 2 hours of quality children's programming per day. If possible, choose noncommercial TV because commercial TV exposes kids to food advertising, which often pushes low-nutrient snack foods and drinks. Another option is age-appropriate videos, especially those that invite kids to play along.
The table below provides some ideas on how a toddler can stay active:
Adult-Led Activity Free Play Younger Toddlers (12-24 months)
Listen to music and dance together.
Hold your child's hands while he or she jumps.
Explore the backyard or playground together.
Climb stairs and use climbing equipment, with supervision.
Use push and pull toys (popcorn popper, play broom, vacuum).
Imitate animals or adults at work (mowing lawn, making dinner, using tools).
Play with shape sorters and other floor toys.
Older Toddlers(24-36 months)
Play "Follow the Leader," "Ring Around the Rosy," and other easy games.
Play ball.
Take a mommy-and-me movement class for toddlers.
Walk like a penguin or imitate other animals.
Play on a playground or in the backyard, with supervision.
Enjoy imaginative play (playing with toy cars, making play figures talk, caring for a doll).
