By Janet HoganPhysical fitness is important at any age - especially during the first five years, when children develop most. As little ones learn and grow, so should the variety of their exercise.
Baby's First Years
Important learning takes place from the earliest weeks and months as your baby experiences sound, touch, smells and movement.
Between 6 months and one year, your baby will become a whirlwind of motion. Being active helps baby build muscles and explore the world. Allow him time to be active in ways that suit him and can be accommodated by your indoor and outdoor surroundings.
In the first year, babies love to crawl, and doing so on different surfaces (carpet, smooth floor, outdoors on the grass) moves him toward the important milestones of standing and walking.
Soon he'll develop additional basic motor skills such as rolling, jumping, and stopping a big rolling ball. After that, he'll love it when you play chase and give him a big hug when you catch him.
3 to 5 years old
Preschoolers are developing both small and large motor skills, so provide a variety of activities aimed at building both. Jumping, balancing, throwing, kicking, and catching are all good, especially if you make in fun by playing "Simon Says."
Go for walks together, using them to reinforce other learning, such as naming colors like the red door or the black car, or counting the windows on a garage door.
On rainy days, set up a simple slalom course with empty water bottles in the living room so your preschooler can walk it while balancing a bean bag.
Another easy game is indoor soccer; make balls from crumpled paper and goals from pillows. When the weather is warmer, go outside on the lawn - children love to run through the sprinklers.
As children become more active, safety issues change as well. Childproof your home, always have them wear a helmet when cycling or skating, and talk with them regularly about safety around cars. Never let a young child swim alone, even if he or she knows how to swim.
Your children are eager balls of energy looking for fun things to do. Guide them toward an active lifestyle and you will give them a gift that lasts a lifetime.
About First 5 Tulare County
Research shows that a child's brain develops most dramatically in the first five years, and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child's growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 through 5.