Toddler Exercises

Most toddlers are full of energy and have an overwhelmingly intense desire to move around and explore their environment. It is your job to provide your toddler with a variety of interesting opportunities for exercising, remembering to always keep safety in mind.

Elaborate equipment isn't necessary, just arrange for the space and opportunity and your youngster will do the rest.

It's remarkable how many parents figure that fitness for children of this age will take care of itself. That is simply not the case, but toddlerhood is the time when bad habits are learned.

Too much television watching should be discouraged. A toddler who is allowed to sit around quietly most of each day in front of a TV set is more likely to become the sedentary school-ager and then the flabby, out-of-shape teenager and adult. It is a disgrace to see so many little children becoming "couch potatoes" so early on in life.

To help your toddler develop strength, coordination and agility I would recommend the following:

1. Push and pull toys. Cars and trucks often with sound effects built in make them great fun and help your toddler move around and exercise all his muscles in his make-believe world.

2. Balls of various sizes to be thrown, caught and also fetched. This will develop hand/eye coordination and agility.

3. Crawling games. These are excellent for large muscle development. For example, cut out the sides of a large cardboard box such as the one a TV set comes in and - presto! - he has both an indoor and outdoor playhouse.

4. Roughhouse activities. All you need is a blanket or pad on the floor. Believe me, you will tire before your toddler.

5. A tricycle. Fine for two to three year olds for developing leg muscles and coordination.

If your toddler has a tendency to be placid and sedentary it is your job to encourage physical activities.

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