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Active for life’ might seem like a lofty ambition for the under three set. However, as with so many things baby, a good start is golden. Between six months to six years, children build the physical habits that set them up for a lifetime of healthy activity.

Alarming statistics aside, the case for an active start is strong: enhanced development of brain function, coordination, social skills, gross motor skills, emotions, leadership, and imagination. An active start also helps children build confidence, develop posture and balance, build strong bones and muscles, promote healthy weight, reduce stress, improve sleep, learn to move skillfully, and last but certainly not least, learn to enjoy being active.

As we know, children like to move, a lot—they often meet minimum daily physical activity recommendations just by being them. But, building a habit of physical activity means going beyond punching the time clock. So what can parents do to set their child up to be active for life?

Good old-fashioned play is best. Unstructured play offers a huge variety of movement and children’s enthusiasm rarely wanes. As often as possible get them outside where they are unconstrained by space. Kristina Whelton-Davis is always amazed by the physical creativity of her son and the two children she looks after, “whether it’s a pirate ship or a knight’s castle, they are always finding new ways to use the playground.”

The ‘Wet’ Coast rainy season might lack appeal for us, but bundled up in a rainsuit and gumboots your average toddler will spend ages jumping in puddles. Unbeknownst to them, they’re developing one of the foundational skills that form the basis of more complex movements (Some time around two, most children are able to jump with two feet).

Introduce some organized physical activity each day. We use the word ‘organized’ loosely to mean some semi-structured play with a physical component. Depending on their age and mobility this can mean anything from log rolls to crawl chase or “Guess that animal” charades. At all ages, the goofier the better. Also remember, when the refrain of “one more time” leaves you wanting to pull your hair out, repetition builds confidence!

Leave time in your busy day for them to get places under their own steam. Whether car or stroller is your primary mode of transportation, try making a part of each journey walk-along. Let your child wiggle through bicycle racks, swing around poles and balance his way along flowerbed ledges. As a bonus, errands go smoother when he get to explore his way there.

Make sure your child sees you being active. The single most important factor in whether a child will develop a habit of activity is the example of their family. From birth, your child has a keen eye on your activities from his vantage point in the stroller, carrier or bike trailer.

As Wendy Riches found, it works best if you don’t label it exercise or fitness: “Our daughter resisted getting outside for ‘exercise’, but when the whole family started going for bike rides it became an adventure she looked forward to.”

Even if your toddler isn’t along for the ride, he still benefits from seeing you head out for yoga or soccer. For time-crunched parents, taking care of oneself often falls low on the priority list. Next time you question whether there is time for you to take that flamenco class, remember: you are doing it for you, but you’re also doing it for your child.

Enroll your child in one or two developmentally appropriate organized programs. Developmental gymnastics and swimming are recommended as they help children develop the key physical attributes: agility, balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. These are the tools they need to pick up other sports.

“I like gymnastics,” says Shoni Field, mother of two sons, “because they transfer what they do at the gym to home and playground —even when it is not exactly ‘appropriate’. My two-year-old climbed into a bin of Crocs at Army and Navy saying ‘Look Mama, ball pit!’”

Developmentally appropriate programs for this age are play based and child directed. They offer a broad introduction to varied activities, lots of opportunity for experimentation and are based on repetition. Most of all, they are positive, inclusive and fun.

The focus in these programs should be on exposing children to activities that enhance the key physical attributes. These activities should explore variations in movement: levels, direction, range, pathways, speed, force, rhythm and later on, the introduction of some equipment.

Whether enrolling in a program or introducing your child to activities yourself, keep in mind that its only around six years of age that most children are developmentally ready to start moving from “exploring” to “learning”. Only then is it wise to introduce specific skill acquisition, the concept of “practicing”, control of sports equipment and an expectation that children might begin to observe, internalize and repeat specific physical movements.

Giving your child an active start is mostly about providing opportunities and letting them take it from there. They need lots of varied movement to explore and master the ways their body can move—except while sleeping, they should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at one time. You can help your baby or toddler become active for life simply by getting them off to an active start.

* Jennifer Hood, BA, B.Ed., is the founder of Jump! Gymnastics. She uses gymnastics as a platform to give children from 6 months to 6 years old the physical literacy they need to become active for life. She has coached gymnastics for more than 15 years, in 6 different programs across Canada, and taught in the elementary school system.

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Urbanbaby & Toddler Magazine, 2012
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