It's important to give your child lots of opportunities to get physical — preschoolers learn how their bodies work (and burn off energy) by running, jumping, climbing, and exploring their world. You probably don't need to take extra steps to make sure your preschooler gets plenty of exercise. Kids this age are so active that they get the exercise they need just from going about their daily routine (spinning, dancing, chasing, and wrestling).
If you're concerned that your preschooler is
overweight, talk to his pediatrician. Preschoolers come in all shapes and sizes — most young children will grow into their weight. If he's too sedentary, replace quieter activities (watching TV) with more energetic ones (riding a trike).
Get active with him as much as you can. Play tag in the backyard or kickball at a nearby field. If your child attends preschool, make sure the school provides plenty of opportunities for active play and lots of space to run around. And since kids this age love to be around their
friends, invite one of his pals over to splash in the wading pool or run through the sprinklers. Or bundle them both up to go sledding or have a snowball fight. Preschoolers also enjoy going to the
playground with good buddies to slide, swing, climb, and chase each other. If your preschooler seems interested in signing up for a
team sport, go ahead and let him. Just make sure that the main focus is on making fitness fun and developing skills — not producing a world-class athlete or burying the competition.
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