Exercise for Young Children: How Active Should They Be?

Our children are often very active when they are young, with seemingly boundless energy. Children should have a certain amount of exercise each day, spent playing games and doing activities that teach them balance, coordination and general fitness.

What Are the Recommendations?

It’s commonly expected that children require the same amount of physical activity as adults, such as 30-60 minutes a few times a week. However, the NHS recommends your toddler or child under 5 should be engaged in as much as 3 hours of activity per day. This includes playing and moving around, running and jumping and more clearly active play such as climbing, chasing, swimming or paddling in water, riding bikes, or playing with a ball.

The CDC also recommends that children get around 3 hours of exercise each day, in particular including activities that support good bone health and bone growth, such as activities that involve jumping and hopping. Physical activity is a major issue for children in many countries and in the US studies have found that only 1 in 3 children are get enough physical activity each day.

Good Physical Activities in the Early Years

Activities for your preschool-aged child should include a wide range of movements, including things that stimulate balance and coordination, as well as aerobic fitness and strength. At Falcon British Nursery, physical activity is a priority and children are encouraged to move daily and play physical games to keep fit and healthy. For cruisers and early walkers, good games can include Simon Says, where children copy the actions of a teacher, or singing action songs such as Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

As your child reaches age two or three, they can begin to play in larger spaces and outdoor areas and should be encouraged to run around and improve balance, such as by playing games like football, catching and throwing, climbing trees, or playing on playground structures. Play spaces that include swings and bars can help children to improve their balance and develop their inner ear, by engaging in activities such as swinging or hanging upside-down.

Exercise is a large part of the Falcon British Nursery curriculum and you can have confidence that your children will meet their activity requirements each day while with the nursery staff.