The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day, but the requirement does not start until age six. Until then, there are no formal recommendations for the amount of exercise a child needs, so if you have a toddler, you don't need to push for a certain requirement each day. Instead, lead by example and give your toddler plenty of opportunities to be active, which can help create a foundation of health and activity to aid in your toddler's development.
Parent Concerns
Babies come in different shapes and sizes and unless you've been warned by your pediatrician, a little baby fat is nothing to worry about. Toddlers are naturally chubby, especially if they have only just begun to walk. As your toddler becomes more active, it's likely that she'll begin to lose weight. Toddlers should never be put on restricted diets for weight loss unless recommended by your doctor based. Simply leading an active lifestyle is enough for your toddler to be healthy.
Exercise Recommendations
While other children may need extra help to meet the 60 minutes per day requirement, toddlers are constantly burning calories as they jump, run, play and explore on a daily basis. While you needn't make a vested effort in ensuring that your toddler gets sufficient exercise each day, it is important to allow your toddler to enjoy time away from the TV screen to ensure that he has the opportunity to be active throughout the day.
Movement Ideas
Toddlers are known for their defiance, which is why yours may act stubborn when you try to lead her in traditional exercise. Toddler movement and fitness classes, walking and more formal exercise can be unappealing to the short attention span of a one to three year old. Instead, try playing games that encourage movement, such as hide and go seek, tag or short obstacle courses. Go outside whenever possible and take the opportunity to walk, understanding that toddlers can become suddenly tired and may need to be pushed in a stroller.
Leading by Example
It's never too early to instill the values of a healthy, active lifestyle in your toddler. The best way to accomplish this is by living a healthy lifestyle yourself. By making time to be active and joining in active games with your toddler, you'll not only delight your child but you'll also show him that being physically active is exciting and preferable to TV time. Daily exercise gives you an opportunity to engage your toddler, while fitting fitness into your busy schedule as a parent.
