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Recently, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) released guidelines for encouraging early childhood physical activity. We're not talking about calisthenics for toddlers.

The guidelines encourage infants and toddlers to explore their surroundings, promote motor skill development, describe safe play areas which provide plenty of room for all sorts of motions, and emphasize an increased awareness of the importance of physical activity.

According to the NASPE, "Although it may appear that sitting up, rolling over, and crawling emerge naturally, these behaviors are clearly influenced by the parent and/or caregiver and the environmental stimulations available to the infant."

For toddlers, the guidelines recommend:

* At least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day

* 60 minutes to several hours of unstructured physical activity each day

* Sedentary activities shouldn't extend beyond 60 minutes without a break that includes physical activity

For preschoolers, the guidelines recommend:

* At least 60 minutes of structured physical activity each day

* Several hours of unstructured physical activity each day

* Sedentary activities shouldn't extend beyond 60 minutes without a break that includes physical activity

Children tend to mimic what they see their parents, other adults, and older peers doing. If parents want their children to consider physical activity an important part of their lives, they must see that it's an important part of their parents' lives.

It's also important not to push young children into structured, high-pressure, organized sports too soon. It's generally accepted that children aren't ready for such activities until the age of six years old and older. Pushing them too hard or too early may lead to burnout and a dislike of physical activity.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:30 AM