Stretching Exercise for Toddlers

Exercise is an essential and inescapable ingredient of a healthy lifestyle for both children and adults. The American Heart Association recommends that all children age two and older engage in at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity activities (cover-speak for exercise) each day, and vigorous exercise three to four times per week. Parents often do not think that toddlers, already naturally active, need the benefits of exercise. But both the AHA and the American Academy of Pediatrics stress that exercise aids in controlling weight, lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of diabetes, raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and promoting mental health.

Teaching about exercise in the toddler years will make it an every day routine, just like brushing teeth and taking a bath. The important thing is to keep it fun and enjoyable. There are numerous toddler-friendly exercise videos and games available featuring favorite characters from Sesame Street, Barney, and others. Before beginning an exercise, though, it is important to first stretch. The AAP reports that stretching out muscles before physical activity warms them up and helps protect against injury. Stretching also makes the muscles and joints more flexible.

To make stretching a part of your toddler’s exercise routine, read this story out loud and help him or her follow Collin as he stretches for his favorite fruit snacks.

– Collin asked his mother if he could have some fruit snacks. She said, “Yes, you may.” He thought he was tall enough to get the snacks from the cabinet. He was just able to reach the bottom of the cabinet door and open it. The fruit snacks were pushed to the back of the shelf!

– Collin looked up at the snacks, then down at the floor. It looked like a long way! He looked up at the snacks, then down at the floor. He thought if he stood as tall as he could, maybe he could reach the box.

– Collin put his right arm over his head and stretched as far as he could. He did not reach the fruit snacks. One more time he stretched as far as he could. Then, he put his left arm over his head and stretched as far as he could. He did not reach the snacks. One more time, he stretched with his left arm. Still no snacks. He put both arms over his head and stretched up and up. Then, he put his arms down and took a deep breath. He slid both arms over his head and stretched. He could not reach the snacks.

– Collin put both arms over his head and stood up on his tiptoes as tall as he could. He could not reach the fruit snacks. Again, he put up both arms, stood on his tiptoes, and stretched and stretched. This time, his fingers brushed the box, but he did not grab it.

– Collin bent his knees and swung his arms forward and backward, forward and backward. Then, he swung his arms up over his head and jumped. His hands touched the sides of the fruit snack box, but he did not hold on. Once again, he bent his knees and swung his arms forward and backward, forward and backward. He swung his arms over his head and jumped as high as he could. This time he held on to the box of snacks!

– Collin was so proud of how high he jumped, he skipped over to his mother and gave her a big hug. Then, they sat down together and had yummy fruit snacks and milk.

Make exercise fun and exciting for toddlers, and the habit will stay with them for a lifetime. Never use exercise as a punishment. A healthy snack, such as fruit snacks made from 100 percent juice, will ensure the benefits of exercise are not outweighed by poor nutrition.