The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens should be “physically active for at least 60 minutes per day,” although they stress that it doesn’t have to be 60 minutes of continuous activity.

As most parents know, along with a healthy diet, regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and prevent childhood obesity.

Regular exercise has also been shown to help kids build strong self-esteem, sleep better, have more energy, decrease anxiety, and decrease the risk of depression.​​

So if exercise is so important, that leaves many parents wondering when they should get started with their kids.

Do you need to sign your toddler up for gymnastics already?

Is your preschooler behind if he isn’t in soccer or dance already?

Of course not, but it is still important that toddlers and preschoolers get some exercise.

Exercise for Toddlers

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends that toddlers get at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity each day.

Those are really just minimums, though. Toddlers should actually be physically active for several hours each day and shouldn’t be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time unless they are sleeping.

Exercise for Preschoolers

Preschoolers need a little more exercise — at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity each day.

 Again, these are minimum recommendations and preschoolers should also be physically active for several hours each day and shouldn’t be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time unless they are sleeping.

 

– Vincent Iannelli

Read More: Exercise for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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