Health Tip: Your Child's Development

Make sure he gets enough exercise

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(HealthDay News) -- Once children learn to walk, it's important to help foster their physical development, growth and coordination.

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The Nemours Foundation suggests these guidelines for physical activity in toddlers:

• Toddlers need at least 30 minutes of structured activity each day -- including walks, playground time or exercise classes (like tumbling). Preschoolers need at least 60 minutes of such structured activity each day.
• Toddlers need at least one hour each day of unstructured playtime, when they can foster their imaginations with toys and games.
• Except when asleep, toddlers should not be sedentary for more than one hour each day.
• Indoor and outdoor play areas need to be safe for a toddler's play.

-- Diana Kohnle