The Right Amount of Exercise to Help Kids

When it comes to exercise these days, it's very important because exercise is critical to maintaining not only physical health but mental health too.

According to the Lansing State Journal, many children here in Michigan are staying home because of the coronavirus pandemic. They are staying home from in person school which means no gym classes or other means of exercise.

My kids who are now 19 and 17, try to come up with their own exercise routine to stay in good shape. Even for those who are stuck at home, sometimes you just need to motivate yourself to get started.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children ages 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day." (LSJ)

For children who are not meeting these standards, parents can help out by using simple activities. You can also buy a family membership at your local workout club and get started that way.

According to experts, once basic exercise becomes part of your child's everyday routine, then they can step it up to something a little more challenging. Even climbing and jumping jacks can be a really good start for beginners.

Here are a few thoughts for preschoolers:

Active play like climbing.

Riding a bike.

Playing, chasing, and ball games.

Parents should try and do all the movements that their young child is doing. This can be a great workout and your child will love it!