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The Benefits of Physically Active Play

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Many people say that play is the work of children, but what they may not
Parenting a Second Time Around
realize is just how essential play is to growing children.  Children use play
Preschool
as a way of exploring their environment and developing skills.  Play is
needed for the development of the whole child – for healthy physical, Programs

emotional, social, and intellectual development. School

Sleep
Preschoolers benefit greatly from physically active play.  In addition to Suffolk County
aiding physical development such as refinement of gross and fine motor
Technology
skills, improved balance and endurance, greater strength, coordination
Teen
and flexibility; physical activity has many mental health benefits as well. 
Toddler
It reduces the incidence of anxiety and depression, and alleviates stress. 
Regular physical play may also reduce behavioral problems, improve sleep Travel

and provide an outlet for emotions. Uncategorized

Vacationing
Physical play is also crucial for maintaining a healthy weight.  More than 9
million US children are now overweight, triple the number since 1976. Subscribe by Email

Children are being diagnosed with diseases usually seen among adults, Completely spam free, opt out any
including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.  time.
Additionally, studies have found that physical activity in early childhood
increases the strength and amount of bone mass that is developed. ex: someone@mydomain.com

How to keep your preschooler active

https://blogs.cornell.edu/ccesuffolkfhw/2013/10/21/the-benefits-of-physically-active-play/[27/3/2019 7:31:28 PM]

The Benefits of Physically Active Play : CCE Suffolk County Family Health & Wellness Strengthening Families & Communities

Reduce the amount of “screen time” your child has each day.  Screen
time includes computer and tablet use, watching television, videos or
DVDs and time spent playing videogames: essentially using anything
with a screen.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that
children under the age of two have no screen time and children over the
age of two have no more than one or two hours a day.
Look for toys that encourage movement such as balls, dump trucks and
ride on toys. Create Subscription

Get outside.  Go for a walk or bring your child to the park, playground or
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beach.
Turn on music and dance. Entries Comments

Allow plenty of time for unstructured, free-play.  Resist the urge to sign
your preschooler up for organized sports.
Keep it fun.
Set an example by being active yourself.

Engaging you preschooler in regular active play will not only aid in his
development and health outcomes, but may also improve behavior and
build confidence.  Helping your child develop a love of movement now will
give him a gift that will benefit him throughout his life.

Suggested Reading:
Your Active Child: How to Boost Physical, Emotional and Cognitive
Development through Age-Appropriate Activity by Rae Pica.

Additional Resources:
The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development

Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H., is a Human Development Specialist at

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk. She can be reached at
631-727-7850 x. 330 or at kkr5@cornell.edu

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October 21, 2013 | category:

Activities, Parenting, 3 Comments
Preschool, Toddler

Comments
3 Responses to “
The Benefits of Physically Active Play ”

Eat. Play. Learn. P is for PLAY | School Meals That Rock on February
18th, 2014 at
8:41 pm

[…] out that young bodies, mind and souls can benefit from different
kinds of PLAY – active PLAY, free PLAY and outdoor PLAY to name a few. I
am an especially big fan of getting kids outside to […]

Eat. Play. Learn. P is for PLAY | Iowa Food & Fitness Blog on
February 19th, 2014 at
7:58 am

https://blogs.cornell.edu/ccesuffolkfhw/2013/10/21/the-benefits-of-physically-active-play/[27/3/2019 7:31:28 PM]

The Benefits of Physically Active Play : CCE Suffolk County Family Health & Wellness Strengthening Families & Communities

[…] out that young bodies, mind and souls can benefit from different
kinds of PLAY – active PLAY, free PLAY and outdoor PLAY to name a few. I
am an especially big fan of getting kids outside to […]

LNweaver on July 31st, 2017 at

7:24 pm

I can see how physical play can maintain weight in kids. It can be hard to
get children to exercise. But a game of tag can be good cardio that kids
don’t view as work.

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