Physical activity plays an important role in the growth and development of infants as well as young children. From the early years of life, proper exercise not only helps children develop physically but also supports the completion of motor, cognitive and emotional skills.
When a baby is born, parents often pay attention to nutrition and sleep, but physical activity is also an equally necessary factor. Simple daily movements help children strengthen muscles, improve coordination and lay the foundation for long-term development.
According to recommendations from the UK National Health Service (NHS), newborns should be facilitated to exercise as much as possible. For babies who do not know how to crawl, parents can encourage children to move in many different ways such as letting children reach for toys, practicing grasping objects, or creating games to help children push and pull with their hands and feet.
In addition, children should also be encouraged to move their head, arms, legs and whole body to increase body control. Some experts also recommend spending time lying on their stomachs every day to support the development of neck, shoulder and back muscles. When children start to know how to move, parents should not limit but should encourage children to exercise more through activities suitable for their age.
For children aged 1-2 years, the need for exercise continues to increase as children can walk, run, and explore the surrounding environment. The NHS recommends that children of this age should exercise for at least 180 minutes per day with different levels.
Parents are encouraged to let children play outdoors more instead of spending too much time in front of TV screens, phones or video games. Simple activities such as running, jumping or climbing all help children develop physically and increase coordination.
In addition, more active activities such as jumping rope, cycling, playing in water or participating in chase games with friends and family also bring many benefits. Not only helping children become healthier, these activities also support the development of communication skills and increase confidence.
Experts believe that children spending too much time on electronic devices can increase the risk of inactivity, leading to weight gain and negatively affecting long-term health. The habit of sitting a lot can also affect the physical and mental development of children in the future.
Therefore, parents should proactively build an environment to encourage children to exercise every day. It is also very important for adults to maintain a dynamic lifestyle because children often learn through observing and imitating their parents' behaviors. Appropriate physical activities from a young age will help children develop healthily and form good habits in the future.
