Growing Up Sporty: The Year-by-Year Guide to the Best Activities for Kids
| 1 min read
There’s no denying the importance of introducing children to nutritious food and physical activity early. As they get older, they’ll already have healthy habits in place, making them easier to stick to. But determining the right age to get kids started in certain activities can be a little tricky. For example, while organized sport seasons are great for middle schoolers, younger children may benefit more from free play. If you’re struggling to decide whether certain activities are safe or age-appropriate for your child, this guide can help.
Keep in mind that you can break the 60 minutes of activity up into two 30-minute periods or four 15-minute chunks. When being active for shorter amounts of time, your kids can engage in more vigorous activities (as long as they’re appropriate to their age, gender and stage of physical and emotional development). Also, remember that these are just suggestions for when your kid can start new activities—the most important thing is to find something your kid enjoys.
Sources: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, HealthyChildren.org, Mayo Clinic.
Photo credit: Pexels
