As a parent, you have probably asked yourself what the ideal amount of playtime is for your kids. Whether you are a working or stay-at-home parent, it can be hard to find time amidst your obligations to ensure that your child is getting the playtime they need. Often, parents clump playtime and physical activity together but the two are not the same although they can overlap.
For instance, if your child enjoys bike riding and often spends their playtime doing so, that can fall under physical activity. However, if your child is more of an indoors person and prefers drawing in their free time, you will have to set aside time separately for physical activity. In this article, we tell you how much playtime and physical activity your kids should be getting.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
As children are still growing and developing mentally and physically, physical activity is incredibly important to ensure they reach their full potential. For starters, preschool children should be active as much as possible throughout the day. This can be achieved by encouraging them to be active during their playtime with activities such as ball games and swimming.
For older children age 6 to 17, below are the recommendations:
- At least 1 hour of aerobic activity daily. Aerobic activity gets the heart pumping faster and common examples are walking and jogging. Encourage your child to get engaged in more intense aerobic activities thrice a week such as brisk walking or running.
- Muscle- and bone-strengthening activities should be incorporated into your child’s exercise routine 3 times a week. Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include climbing, hanging and doing push-ups while jumping aids in strengthening bones.
PLAYTIME
When it comes to playtime, there’s no recommended duration that your child should be engaging in regularly. For most parents, as long as their child has completed their schoolwork, playtime is free game.
- Independent Play: Independent play is unstructured and allows your child to express their imaginations. You can supervise your child’s independent play from a distance while focusing on other chores. Resist the temptation to jump in with instructions and guidance as that can reduce your child’s ability to think for themselves.
- Guided Play: During guided play, children are given instructions on how to do a set thing with a toy or piece of equipment to achieve a specific goal. This is where you, the parent, come in. From constructing a model with your child to teaching them the rules of a sport, anything goes.
BUY EDUCATIONAL TOYS FOR YOUR CHILD AT KIDPOWERED
If you are looking to get your child toys that encourage movement and exercise to integrate physical activity into their playtime, look no further than Kidpowered. In addition, we stock a wide range of imaginative toys for your child’s independent playtime and you can be sure to find something that suits their interests and preferences. At Kidpowered, we strongly believe that the purpose of toys is to promote the physical and emotional development of children, therefore you can be assured of getting the best for your child when you shop with us.