It’s no secret that staying physically active is important, and this is especially true for young children. Exercise has so many benefits for growing bodies and minds. Regular physical activity can help your child:

• Build strength and coordination by developing their muscles and improving balance.
• Improve flexibility, which will allow your child to move easily, thus reducing the risk of injuries.
• Enhance cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and breathing.
• Boost brain function by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
• Reduce stress and anxiety levels, thus improving mood and overall well-being.
• Maintain a healthy weight by burning extra calories.
• Build strong bones and muscles, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life.
• Reduce the risk of developing health problems during adulthood, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some types of cancer.

How much exercise each day?

Children aged two to five should exercise for at least 60 minutes a day. You can break this down into shorter bursts throughout the day.

Making exercise fun

There are plenty of ways to make exercise fun for young children. Here are a few:

1. Make it a family affair: Involve the whole family in the physical activity. Go for a walk or a bike ride together, play tag in the park, or dance around the living room.
2. Mix it up: Try to come up with new and interesting ways to be active. Take a trip to the pool, go running along the beach, practise tennis together or play hide-and-seek in the backyard.
3. Make it a game: Turn physical activity into a fun competition. See who can do the most jumping jacks, race each other in the local park, or have a hula hoop contest.
4. Set a good example: Be active yourself and let your child see how much fun it can be.
5. Let them take the lead: Give your child the opportunity to come up with a list of exercise ideas for the whole family.

Physical activity ideas for winter

Cold or wet weather is no excuse for avoiding exercise. Here are some fun ways for your child to stay active in winter:

1. Go for a rain dance: Let your child loose in the rain and have them dance around to their favourite songs.
2. Splash in puddles: This one is a classic wet weather activity. Just make sure you have some waterproof clothing so your child doesn’t get soaked!
   
   
3. Go on a nature walk: If it’s not too wet, go for a walk and see what nature can offer in the rain. Your child might be surprised by how different the world looks when it’s wet, and you might even spot some wildlife that you wouldn’t normally see.
   
   
4. Indoor activities: If it’s really pouring down, there’s no need to miss out on the fun – just bring it indoors! There are plenty of great indoor games that will keep your children entertained, from dancing to yoga and hallway soccer. Use your imagination and they’ll have a blast.

Encouraging your child to stay physically active can be a challenge, but it’s important for their health. With a little creativity and effort, you can make exercise fun for the whole family. To learn about the various ways your child can stay physically active at Learning Ladder, please get in touch with us today.