Home and Away: How to Keep Toddlers Active
Toddlers don't like to sit still. They wriggle from your grasp and want to be free. That's tiring for you, but it's a very good thing for them. Toddlers are naturally driven to do what is healthiest for them - be as active as possible much of their waking days. As a general rule, toddlers shouldn't be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except for sleeping. Kids who are 12 to 36 months old need at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led) and at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (free play) every day.
At Home
You're in the driver's seat when you're the one taking care of your child. To limit sedentary time, don't let your child spend too much time in strollers, car seats, and high chairs. All these can keep a child from being active enough. Limiting
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Adult-Led Activity |
Free Play |
| Younger Toddlers (12-24 months) |
Listening to music and dancing together
Holding your child's hands while he or she jumps
Exploring the backyard or playground together
Climbing stairs and using climbing equipment, with supervision
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Using push and pull toys (popcorn popper, play broom, vacuum)
Imitating animals or adults at work (mowing lawn, making dinner, using tools)
Playing with shape sorters and other floor toys
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| Older Toddlers (24-36 months) |
Playing on a playground or in the backyard together
Playing "Follow the Leader," "Ring Around the Rosy," and other similar games
Playing ball
Taking a mommy-and-me movement class for toddlers
Walking like a penguin, or imitating other animals
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Enjoying imaginative play (playing with toy cars, making play figures talk, caring for a doll)
Building with blocks
Drawing with crayons
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Away From Home
If your toddler spends time with a caregiver or at a child care center, it's important to investigate how much activity the children get on a regular basis.
- Do they go outside most days?
- Is there a schedule of activities they adhere to?
- Do they watch videos or TV on a regular basis?
Another option is a playgroup, which is a great way to get children together for some active time. A playgroup is also a welcome change of pace for stay-at-home parents, who benefit from the social time with other moms and dads. The parents could plan some time for structured group activities, such as playing a game, and let the kids do their own thing for some of the time. Meeting at a playground or large, indoor space is ideal.
If you've ever seen a group of toddlers playing, you may have noticed that they don't seem to be interacting as much as older children. Still, be assured they enjoy this time together. Eventually, they will start playing in a more cooperative way.
Provide a Safe Environment
Wherever a toddler is being active, the play area must be Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2005