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Home › Articles › Development › Let's Get Physical

Let's Get Physical

The Importance of Getting Your Toddler up and Active

By Rae Pica, Children's Movement Specialist

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Arrange the environment to allow for movement. Is there room indoors for you and your toddler to dance or roll a beach ball back and forth? To set up an obstacle course? Or to put down a couple of hoops you can jump in and out of? What about the outdoor environment? Does it include open areas for running, jumping, rolling and the like? Is there equipment for safe climbing, hanging and swinging? If the answer to most of these questions is no, your child will soon understand that movement is not a priority.
  • Buy equipment and toys with movement in mind. If your child has more active than sedentary toys, it will limit his choices in a good way. When it's time for gift giving, select items like balls in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures; "juggling" (chiffon) scarves for practice throwing and catching; a shovel and pail; a little red wagon; or a wading pool or swing set. When shopping for games, Twister has more to offer than Chutes and Ladders. And CDs with lively music are a better choice than movie videos.

    • More Indoor and Outdoor Activities
    • Play a game of "Gotcha!" Your little one will squeal with delight as you chase her around the living room or yard. Don't forget to give her a chance to get you, too!
    • Blow bubbles. What better excuse is there to run and jump than trying to catch those elusive bubbles?
    • Paint the house! Give your child a bucket of water and a big but lightweight paintbrush, and he'll not only be getting some much-needed exercise and fresh air, but he'll also be learning scientific lessons related to saturation and evaporation.
    • Play a game of shadow tag. On a sunny day, take your toddler into the yard or to the playground and try to catch each other's shadows!
         

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