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Lift, Jump and Run
Exercising with Your Toddler
By Charlene Torkelson, Fitness Expert
Another great lift to try, which works easily for even heavier and older children, is the stiff-as-a-board lift. Have the child stand straight with her arms down at her side, hands fisted. Explain to her that it's easier to lift and be lifted if they tighten their body so it is "stiff as a board." Then, placing your hands beneath her fists, lift her up off 
the ground. It may take some time for your child to understand how it feels to keep her body tight and all one unit with no bending of the arms in the middle of the lift or wiggling around.
Toddlers who are just becoming comfortable with walking and running may not show much coordination right away. One activity that increases coordination and is a great aerobic exercise for both of you is jumping. You can make even a simple jump up and down lots of fun if you make a game of it. Try these steps:
- 1. See how many times each of you can jump. You can either both jump at the same time and pace, or count while each jumps separately.
- 2. You can play Simon Says using two movements – jump with the feet together and with the feet apart (about shoulder width). For example: Simon says jump together, together, apart, apart. Or Simon says jump together, apart, together, apart. There are many different combinations to make the game fun.
- 3. If you've never tried to teach a toddler to hop, you are certainly in for a treat. Get out the video camera! This is the ultimate test of coordination to hop on one foot and then to hop on the other foot. To begin, you have to demonstrate. Then take their hands and help them with the movement before suggesting they try it on their own.
