be active

Being physically active means using energy to move your body. Infants who spend more time on their backs while awake have more delays in movement milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up and crawling, than infants who spend more time on their tummy.

Physical Activity by Age
An infant (Birth – 12 months) is physically active when rolling, reaching, crawling, and cruising. A toddler (12 – 36 months) uses energy by walking and climbing. A preschooler (3 – 5 year old) learns skills such as running, jumping, and throwing. The options are endless for working physical activity into your young child’s day! Read More

Physical Activity and Your Family

Most of us don’t get enough activity daily, but physical activity is something you can enjoy together as a family. It is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and must begin in infancy and extend throughout adulthood. Infants need plenty of opportunity for free movement and exploration while toddlers and preschoolers should get at least one hour of physical activity daily.

Tips for Setting Your Family in Motion

You don’t have to do the same physical activity for a whole hour or even do it all at one time. You can do as many different activities as you want throughout the day in blocks of at least ten minutes. Then, add up the minutes to meet your goal of one hour.

• Insert physical activity into the things you do already. Park farther away from the door when going shopping. Walk to get your mail instead of driving up to the mailbox. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Make it fun! When physical activity is enjoyable, both you and your kids will WANT to play!
• Set up a safe area inside your home for active play
• Choose gifts for your children that are made for play – balls, climbing equipment, push/pull toys.
• Schedule a regular daily time for physical activity—maybe an hour before or after dinner for a family walk or a game outdoors.
• Set your weekend in motion by planning active family fun. Try a mini-hike, a walk through the zoo, or a dip in the local pool.
• Limit the use of strollers. Even young children can walk short distances.

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