How Much Physical Exercise Does Your Child Need

There are a lot of questions a parent is trying to figure out related to their child’s physical Exercise like: How much physical activity is enough for toddlers? How many exercises should a 3-year-old have? Why is physical activity important for toddlers? How many hours should a child be physically active?

Physical exercise for children (Toddler)

Engaging toddlers in some activity to improve or maintain their physical fitness and general health is referred to as Physical Exercise. Physical Exercise not only benefits the physical health of your toddler but also supports the healthy development of the mind and body of a child.
While your child is a toddler, being active now will benefit him for the rest of his life. By encouraging and participating in your child’s physical exercise, they will be more likely to enjoy it and lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

Average time of physical activity for a toddler.

According to WHO, toddlers at the age of 3 should be active for at least 180 minutes a day. Physical Exercise can be of light-intensity ( moving, standing up, and walking at a slow pace) and more energetic ( running, climbing, playing in the park).
Age-appropriate activities
Many parents willingly give activity after activity for their toddler, while others are concerned that they are not providing enough structured, organized activity for their child’s growth.
While organized activities are beneficial for toddlers, parents must keep in mind their child’s age and other physical issues in perspective. Consider each child’s developmental milestones before deciding what is best for your child.
Toddlers require a combination of scheduled and unstructured play. It is totally up to you and the needs you see for your child.
Developmental milestones are a collection of age-appropriate skills that most children can perform at a certain age.
Physical Exercise promotes these developmental milestones but also improves skeletal and muscular strength, endurance, and skill, and as a result, toddlers’ competence and coordination increase. Young children who love physical activity and learn proficiency in it are more likely to continue participating in physical exercise as they grow older.

Some tips for engaging your child in physical exercise

● Allow/encourage toddlers to walk instead of riding in a car, pushing a stroller, or being held. It may take longer, but it keeps them busy.
● Take your toddlers to a playground for at least 20-30 minutes every day to run, climb, and play,
● Toddler building toys
● Hand-sized cars, trains, or trucks
● Large cardboard boxes with doors and windows cut out for climbing and peering through
● Limit the amount of time your toddler spends on technology like tv or mobile as screening make your child less active

Light intensity or more energetic physical exercises are all good, but make sure all these activities should be done under parent supervision and in a safe environment.