The amount of exercise kids need varies according to age level and physical and/or mental maturity levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get 60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, most days. These 60 minutes do not need to be consecutive.
For instance, a 20 minute bike ride to school, plus a 10 minute game of tag at recess, plus 30 minutes of after-school skateboarding adds up to 60 minutes of exercise! Keeping active can be fun and it can be doable for all kids.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children need varying amounts of exercise, depending on their age. Here is a closer look at how much exercise is enough for kids of different age groups. The age groups will be divided into three separate categories.
The first category fits into the 4 to 5 year old range. At this level, parents must strive to teach kids to appreciate exercise and to develop motor skills by leading them through some basic physical motions. Parents of kids in this age group should teach them the importance and pleasure of moving their bodies. Examples of good exercises for kids in this age group is skipping, dancing, hopping, or swimming.
The second category fits into the 6 to 12 year old range. Kids in this age group need to build strength, coordination, and confidence. At this level, parents should encourage their kids to exercise actively and consistently in a variety of different activities that they truly enjoy. Parents should help their kids to discover what they like in terms of activities and what they should try and pursue.
The third category of kids are teenagers. In this age group, playing sports is a great outlet for kids and also it provides a fun way of staying active. Team sports can also help to promote personal development and healthy lifestyles. Again, the amount of activity can vary in this age group, depending on the kid and how active (s)he is.
As we saw in this article, the amount of exercise is not as important as the fact that kids must strive to exercise on most days. This will help avoid childhood and teen obesity. It will also help kids to instill a habit of being active often which can yield a potential lifetime of good health.
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