EVEN IF YOUR LITTLE EXPLORER isn’t yet on two feet—and especially if running and climbing have already left walking in the dust—there’s no doubt about it: Your toddler is living life in the fast lane, and sometimes... right on the edge. And it all happens in the blink of an eye (but don’t blink—otherwise your toddler will be halfway down the block without you). Soon after those first steps, it’s a hop, skip, and a jump to more advanced motor skills like running, climbing, and kicking. This rapid mastery of large motor skills will quickly leave you realizing that the days of staying a comfortable step ahead of your little one are gone—and that you’ll now be racing just to keep up. Sure, it’ll take plenty of practice for your toddler to coordinate the many movements he or she will need to perform some of those advanced skills (hey, this stuff isn’t as simple as it looks!), but your encouragement will make the moving move along faster than you expect.
“When will my 13-month-old son start to walk?”
While few moments are as cute (or as recordable) as your little one’s first wobbly steps (unless of course you count that first smile, that first clap, that first crawl...), not all tots are ready for their video moment the moment they turn a year old. But just because your toddler isn’t yet performing great feats on two feet doesn’t mean he isn’t in the running for on-time walking. Sure, some precocious little ones master upright mobility before their first birthday, but others don’t take a single step until 15 months, and still others don’t start putting one foot in front of the other on their own until as late as 18 months.
That very wide walking range of normal is just that—wide and normal. Even if your sweetie ends up taking his sweet time stepping out on his own, he’s likely to catch up quickly. Many slowpoke walkers break into a run just weeks after they’ve started to walk.
When your little one starts taking those first steps can be related to a number of factors: his genetic wiring (if either parent walked late, he may, too), his temperament (a high-energy toddler may walk earlier than a mellow one), his build (a lean baby will likely strut his stuff sooner than a Buddha-baby), and his confidence level (cautious kids may want to wait until they’re steadier on two feet, while daredevils are often raring to go, taking tumbles in stride). The good news about the timetable for walking is that there’s no timetable at all. Whatever age your toddler starts toddling, whether at 9 months or 16 months, it’s no reflection on his developmental potential.
Your toddler will start toddling when he’s ready. Meantime, lend a helping hand (and a couple of clapping hands to cheer on his efforts), but rather than focusing on the finish line, embrace the journey (and the bumps, falls, baby steps, and false starts along the way). It’s a journey that will make his victory lap—when it finally comes—seem that much sweeter.
“Is there anything I can do to encourage my daughter to walk? She’s already 15 months old but seems plenty happy to sit in one spot or just crawl when she wants to get somewhere.”
Tired of just sitting there watching your child just sitting there? Don’t sweat those first steps, or try to rush them (if she’s not ready to step out on her own, no amount of parental prodding will motivate her to reach that milestone faster—and in fact, too much pressure can slow her down plenty). Just give your little one plenty of space and opportunity to practice her pre-walking skills, offer lots of encouragement and positive reinforcement (think gung-ho cheerleader, not drill sergeant), and provide conditions that won’t trip her up when she makes those tentative attempts at walking.
Start with a small shopping cart, pint-size lawn mower, or other stable push toy that can give your toddler the supportive cruise control she needs as she works those legs, refines her balance, and boosts her confidence. Look for push toys with a bar or handle she can lean on and big wheels and weighting that make it harder for the toy to tip over, which could take her confidence down with it. Encourage her to push the toy to reach the reward across the room: you—with a big smile on your face, your arms wide open and poised for a hug.
If your not-yet-toddling toddler still doesn’t seem to want to get up and go, also consider what she’s wearing. Slippery socks and bulky clothes may keep a new walker grounded, so no matter the season, keep her outfits streamlined when she’s in trekker training mode—steer clear of tight or stiff clothes that could constrict movement, and avoid loose and flowing clothes that could tangle her up. Make sure her shoes are made for walking (see page 54), and while you’re at it, keep your daughter’s tootsies bare as much as you can for a closer encounter with the floor (bare feet offer optimum traction and flexibility, helping her develop balance and coordination). Next best to bare-feet are socks with rubberized treads on the bottom.
A new walker will take lots of spills and falls.
One last bit of advice: Ban the baby walker (it can slow motor development and worse, can tip over or roll down the stairs, causing injuries) and put away the ExerSaucer (while it doesn’t carry rough-and-tumble risks, it doesn’t boost skills, and can even cause lags).
“Our 18-month-old son is the only child in his playgroup not walking on his own. Should we be concerned?”
Most children are stepping out on their own by 18 months, but occasionally a toddler refuses to toddle until later. Sometimes fear (because of a previous nasty fall) keeps a toddler from letting go and taking off. Sometimes it’s proficiency as a crawler (he knows he can get around more quickly on hands and knees than on feet). Sometimes a gross-motor developmental timetable that’s on the slow side of normal is responsible. And sometimes walking is delayed by a problem that needs medical attention.
Your first step in finding out why your son hasn’t yet taken his first solo steps is to consult his doctor. You’ll probably get the reassurance you’re looking for. If a problem is discovered, the news is still good: Early physical therapy can help your toddler catch up.
“Our daughter started walking a week ago, but has suddenly gone back to crawling. Is something wrong?”
There’s no better way to describe the feat of walking than as a one-step-forward, one-step-back process. After all, you can’t expect your toddler to master the art of walking one day and then never plop back down again for a quick crawl (especially since crawling will get her from point A to point B a lot faster than walking will these days). It’s only natural for your little one to switch off between her newfound skill (walking) and her previous—and possibly favored—mode of getting around (crawling).
A return to crawling can also be due to these factors:
Frustration. It takes patience—an attribute most toddlers have in short supply—to perfect walking. Frustration over frequent falls, slow speed, or an inability to turn a corner without bumping into it may prompt your toddler to take to her knees again until her legs and feet have worked out their kinks.
A nasty fall. Taking a traumatic tumble can cause a cautious toddler to think twice about getting back on her feet again. Until she recovers her nerve, crawling may provide the most comforting form of mobility.
A new accomplishment. Often, a still-wobbly skill, such as walking, will be temporarily dropped while a toddler focuses her full attention on honing another, such as talking.
An upcoming cold or other minor illness. For a few days before the symptoms of a cold, flu, or other virus become apparent—and, of course, during an infection—children often suffer from a run-down feeling that keeps them from running around. In this case, walking, which is still a challenge, might well be dropped in favor of the more familiar and less stressful crawling. Teething can have the same effect.
A bad day. Everybody has them—and some toddlers have them quite often. Crankiness and fatigue can temporarily sap a toddler’s mojo and dampen her enthusiasm for challenging activities, including walking.
Of course, if your toddler is unusually irritable, or seems to be limping or unable to stand upright, check with her doctor to make sure there is no physical problem, such as an injury or illness.
Also check with the doctor if your child has been walking for a few months already and all of a sudden no longer seems capable of doing it.
“My son is always bumping into things—or falling down. Could it be his coordination? His eyesight?”
One-year-olds, collisions, and falls go hand in hand—and often, head over heels. There are several good reasons why your toddler is an accident (and an accidental fall) waiting to happen, all of them completely age-appropriate:
He’s a new walker. Walking looks easy, doesn’t it? Well, not so much when you’re first starting out on two feet, not to mention trying to put one foot in front of the other for the first time. It’ll take plenty of time and experience before he’s steady as he goes—and before he can avoid head-ons with the wall... or always being the fall guy.
He’s short on balance and coordination. Both of these skills take practice to perfect, especially when you’re trying to put them together. Ever tried to learn how to snowboard or surf or water ski as an adult? Then you have an inkling of what your toddling tot is up against. And why he often walks into walls, tables, or people—and has a hard time staying on his feet (and off his fortunately well-padded bottom).
He doesn’t look where he’s going. Understandably preoccupied with the challenging mechanics of walking, your little guy often focuses on his feet instead of where they’re taking him. Or he fixes his attention on the person or object he’s trying to reach—daddy, a favorite stuffed giraffe, the remote control he just spied on the sofa—instead of the truck he’s about to trip over, or the coffee table he’s about to barrel into. Even if he does glimpse a roadblock or stumbling block at the last minute, he may not be able to veer around it or stop short of it, especially if he’s picked up some speed. Figuring out how to step on the brakes comes later.
He has a limited attention span. This may be stating the obvious, but a toddler is easily distracted. He’s on his way to the toy car garage when he sees his stuffed dog—and trips trying to change direction. He’s toddling over to the kitchen when the doorbell rings. He turns and looks—and promptly takes a tumble.
His sight is far from perfect. Another reason your toddler’s such a flopper (and apparent klutz): He’s farsighted. A 1-year-old’s eyesight has come a long way since those fuzzier baby days, but he still has limited depth perception, which makes judging distances tricky, even if you could rely on him to look where he’s going. By age 2, vision improves to about 20/60; by age 3 to about 20/40. But it’s not until roughly school age that normal 20/20 vision can be in the cards (that is, unless he needs glasses).
Falling for your little one... well, that’s the easy part. The harder part is trying to prevent your toddler from taking as many of those tumbles as you can, and to protect against injury when you can’t. Here’s how:
Factor in flooring. Sure, wall-to-wall carpeting can be a stain-magnet when there’s a toddler in the house, but it’s also the most forgiving surface for a new walker, cutting down on slip-ups and softening the falls that do happen. Area rugs, on the other hand, are notorious for tripping up even the most seasoned walker (sound familiar?). If you do have area rugs, make sure they lie flat on a nonskid pad. If you have slate, tile, stone, brick, wood, or otherwise slippery or extra-hard floors, and don’t feel like remodeling, you’ll just have to be extra vigilent until your toddler’s steady on his or her feet (see the tips that follow).
Let your toddler go barefoot when possible. Those adorable tootsies help your toddler put his or her best foot forward, providing more traction and comfort, the most padding, and the most flexibility. When bare’s not an option, socks are next best. Select socks that fit well, can be trusted to stay on, and most important of all, are skid-proof. When only shoes will do, choose those that most closely mimic nature’s design (comfortable, flexible, well-fitting, and with good traction). See page 54 for more on toddler shoes.
Keep drawers and doors closed. That goes for dressers, kitchen doors and drawers, room doors, appliance doors—anything your toddler might collide with or trip over. You’ll save yourself some bruises, too (how many times have you banged your shin into the open dishwasher door this week?).
Look out for electrical cords that your little explorer could trip over. Two more reasons to keep cords inaccessible or tacked down: They can pose a strangulation hazard, as well as pull down heavy objects—like computers or lamps—onto your toddler.
Screen each room for flimsy furniture your toddler could tip over, and temporarily move those pieces to areas your toddler can’t get to. Remember, your little one is far from steady, so any furniture that might be clutched on to for support should be reliably stable.
Keep stairs safely blocked off so your toddler isn’t tempted to practice climbing skills on his or her own, or worse, trip and tumble down a flight (see page 407).
Outfit your toddler with the day’s adventures in mind. Long pants will cushion blows to those dimpled little knees, but if pants are too long—or falling down—they can slip your toddler up.
Check out all of the toddler-proofing tips starting on page 405.
Done everything you can to protect your toddler? Now, relax. Toddlers are built to take it. Those little bodies are made with not only cuteness but practicality in mind: close to the ground, well-cushioned with baby fat, and usually diapered (for extra cushioning). Plus, their skulls are still somewhat flexible (that soft spot won’t close up completely until 18 months), which means that a toddler can generally handle minor bumps to the head with nothing more than a few tears. Keep a close watch as you enjoy those exploits on two feet, but avoid overprotecting—or overreacting when your toddler takes a minor tumble.
A lack of reason. Right now, he’s on auto-pilot. He’s (sort of) mastered the physical skill of walking, but not the reasoning skills that will keep him from walking into trouble. With time, he’ll be able to coordinate not only his feet, but that vital communication between his feet and his brain (“Warning... toy truck ahead!”).
Oops, he did it again... and again? Fortunately, coordination, balance, attention span, and vision sharpen with time—as will his ability to navigate his world more safely and steadily (though don’t expect him to win any coordination contests until about age 8 or 9). Until then, you can protect him from some of life’s little bumps and falls by making his world safer (see box above).
“My 18-month-old loves to climb on everything and anything. Should I try to stop her?”
What goes up and doesn’t like to come down? Most toddlers—every chance they get. Once they’ve mastered life on the ground, they’re usually eager to explore their world vertically—scaling chairs, beds, and tables; climbing stairs; and clambering onto anything that will enable them to reach higher and higher heights. The particularly intrepid might even learn to stack objects to reach entirely new levels (“Hmmm... if I put my stool on top of the couch, I can reach that lamp!”).
Your toddler’s monkey-like tendencies may drive you bananas—and “get down from there!” may have already replaced “don’t touch that!” as your most frequently screeched phrase (though come to think of it, you may be using them both in quick succession). But there’s no need to completely squelch your little climbing-crazy tot’s desire for upward mobility. After all, climbing is another way she can explore her environment, experiencing it from totally different vantage points—which can be exhilarating when you’re two feet tall. It’s also a vital skill to practice and perfect—after all, even if she never does any mountaineering, she’ll still have to climb a flight of stairs every now and then. Plus, climbing allows her confidence to soar, literally, along with her coordination, her spirit of independence, and her drive to take on and conquer life’s challenges.
Still, your toddler can climb into a heap of trouble if you’re not careful—and watching her like a hawk. To keep her safe while she indulges her vertical urges:
Up, up, and away—most toddlers are vertically motivated and resourceful when it comes to getting to the top.
Provide safe outlets. Let her climb to her heart’s content on a small plastic slide or play gym, and buy a sturdy children’s step stool so she can access out-of-reach toys or books without resorting to makeshift (and very tipprone) climbing structures—or trying to scale a bookcase one shelf at a time. Outdoor playgrounds (or indoor ones for when the weather’s less than perfect) that allow your champion climber to practice her skills (and that have soft surfaces underneath to tumble onto) can channel her acrobatic energy to more appropriate frontiers than the dining room table.
Provide a safe environment. If you haven’t already, it’s time to assess your home’s safety from a climber’s perspective. Put away rickety chairs, bookcases, or side tables, and securely anchor wall units, dressers, and large bookcases to the wall (even those you think are too heavy to topple over). Never leave stepladders or stools out and unattended, or leave a chair too close to a counter or table, and don’t invite your child to climb (and maybe fall) by placing tempting objects (like a remote) in view on a high surface. When gating off stairways, place the bottom gate three steps up so that your climber gets practice attempting that irresistible ascent, but won’t get hurt if she does take a tumble. And speaking of tumbles, remember to cushion the base of favorite climbing mountains (your bed, the sofa) so falls don’t turn into crash landings. See page 405 for more on childproofing.
Provide safe limits and supervision. Be clear and consistent about what your little adventurer is allowed to climb on and what she’s not. And remember that no amount of child-proofing can substitute for constant supervision. Watch her inside and outside—and no matter where she’s climbing or what she’s climbing on, stay nearby in case she takes an unexpected tumble.
“Our son is very tall for his age and an exceptional climber. We’re afraid he’ll try to climb from his crib in the middle of the night. What should we do to prevent this?”
If your tall tot has reached the 35-inch mark (the height usually required for a successful escape from the crib) or is quickly inching toward it, he may try to make a break for it any time now. Ditto for the particularly proficient climber, no matter what his height. But since scaling the crib’s railing can result not only in freedom for the escapee but a big bump on his head (or worse), you’re wise to start thinking about protective measures now. Here are some basics:
Be sure that the crib mattress is at the lowest setting.
Continue to leave large stuffed animals, pillows, and cushy comforters out of the crib, not for the old reasons, but for a new one: Toddlers can use these as a step up to sweet freedom—and a bad fall.
Pad the escape route with something (sofa cushions or an old quilt, for example) that will soften the landing should your toddler make it over the side.
If your toddler does manage an escape, or if you catch him in the act of attempting one, tell him calmly and firmly that climbing out of the crib is dangerous (“You could fall and get a boo-boo”) and that it’s not allowed. If that doesn’t discourage further crib breaks, you can consider making the move to a bed. While experts recommend transitioning to a bed at about age 2½ or 3—most kids are safer in the confines of a crib than out of it—a child who repeatedly climbs out of the crib, despite your repeated reminders to stay put, may be a good candidate for earlier graduation. But don’t rush the move to the bed, especially if your tot climbs out only once or twice (he may just be testing his ability and then move on to the next skill, especially if he takes a fall). And if all’s quiet on the crib front, there’s definitely no need to make a change—no matter how tall or agile your toddler is.
“Our daughter never stops moving, from the time she wakes up in the morning until she finally falls asleep at night. I know toddlers are supposed to be active, but this active?”
If there’s a law of toddler physics, it’s that little bodies in motion stay in motion. From the time they start jumping up and down for their early dawn crib release to the moment they finally lay their tuckered-out heads back down at night, toddlers are perpetual motion machines. Their energy seems endless and, for the parents struggling to keep up with them, exhausting.
In other words, your toddler’s pace is age-appropriate. That said, some toddlers are definitely more active than others, ranking at the high end of the high-energy spectrum—and it sounds like your daughter’s among that lively group. While you’ll be living in the fast lane with your toddler for some time to come, there are some tricks you can try to slow her down, at least a little, at least once in a while:
Stick to routines. Keep meals, snacks, naps, outings, and playtime on a regular schedule each day to bring some order to your toddler’s otherwise frenetic life. See page 180 for more on routines.
Chill with her. Your active toddler won’t stand for sitting still? Gradually, with a little parental perseverance—and enough enticing activities—you may be able to convince her to take periodic (if fleeting) breaks from the action. Make downtime fun. Read a book, do a puzzle, build a castle out of blocks, play finger games, try some scribbling, or pound some play clay. Or make a game out of doing nothing—you can call it the “quiet game.” Say “Let’s see if we can sit quietly until the buzzer rings” or “until the song is over.” Or better still, challenge her: “Let’s see who can stay still longer.”
Catch her being calm. Okay, it won’t be often, and it won’t be for long—but try to notice any time your toddler is calm or playing quietly and praise her for the effort, even if the quiet time was brief.
Channel that endless energy into constructive activities (see box, page 80).
Minimize frustration. Sometimes, frustration leads to bursts of very active behavior. To head off that kind of hyped-up activity, help your toddler work through the many challenges she faces in a day (trying to get those blocks to stop falling down, trying to tell you what she wants for lunch, trying to match the circle you made with a crayon).
Make sure she’s getting enough sleep. Sometimes, an overactive toddler is actually an overtired toddler. If she’s stopped one or both of her naps, make sure she’s getting enough sleep at night. Or try reinstituting naptime or an enforced “rest time” if she seems to need it. And spend plenty of time winding her down before you expect her to brake for bed or a nap. See Chapter 5 for more on sleep issues.
Watch what she eats. Some, though not all, toddlers seem to get extra wired from extra amounts of certain foods (such as those that contain too much sugar, and/or artificial colors and flavors). If you notice a spike in activity level after an overloaded sugar-fest or a red-dye #2 frenzy, see if cutting them out of her diet helps her slow down. And of course, keep your little live wire away from caffeine in all its forms (including too much chocolate).
In time, as your toddler gains a little more self-control and a little more attention span, her activity level will likely come down a notch or two. That doesn’t mean she won’t continue to be very active—and being active definitely beats being sedentary, at least from a health perspective—just that she won’t spend the whole day on the run. While you’re waiting for that breather, be accepting of your bouncing (off the walls) baby girl. Remember, she’s just doing what comes naturally to toddlers in general, and to her in particular. Keep your expectations of her realistic (for instance, don’t expect her to sit still for long dinners, and make sure she gets plenty of running around during breaks on a road trip). Also, keep your guard up: Active toddlers can get into a whole lot of trouble in a hurry, inside or outside the home.
Looking for some good news as you race from room to room with your little marathon girl? Researchers have found that toddlers who are very active, stimulation seeking, and curious tend to score higher on IQ tests and have above-average reading skills in grade school—once they manage to sit down with a book, that is.
“I thought toddlers were supposed to be active, but mine just sits and plays quietly, while everyone else his age is running, jumping, and climbing.”
Toddlers, like humans of all ages, come in all kinds of personality packages. Though as a group they’ve earned their high-energy reputation, there are plenty—like your mellow fellow—whose temperament is more laid-back. While most tots follow the Energizer Bunny model—and some definitely outrun it—others are content to sit and watch the world whirl by.
By all means, try to coax—but don’t pressure—your toddler into more active pursuits. Play lively music and invite him to dance along with you. Try to get him interested in rolling a ball, or pulling a wagon, or joining you in a jumping game. But don’t push the athletic agenda, which might only make him more activity averse. Take him to the playground more often, but if he’d rather stand and watch the other kids going down the slide than attempt it himself, let him. Go for a romp in the park, but if he’d rather stop and study a rock than toddle along the path, that’s fine, too.
Celebrate the unique little person your toddler is (and the fact that you don’t always have to be running after him). Compliment him on his scribbles, on how carefully he stacked those three blocks, on his choice of books. Take advantage of the fact that he’ll sit still for a story, unlike his on-the-run peers. And whenever he joins the movers and shakers or does a little moving or shaking on his own, cheer him on.
If your toddler regularly resists all activity, check with his doctor to be sure there isn’t a physical trigger for his unphysical nature.
You might be wondering why anyone would actually need to encourage a toddler to be active. Aren’t tots active enough? Don’t you get exhausted just looking at yours go, go, go—never mind trying to keep up with him or her? No one needs to tell you that most toddlers are naturally bundles of energy, perpetually in motion, no windup necessary. Even the most mellow have energy to burn—they just do it without bouncing off the walls. All that physical activity—the crawling, the cruising, the toddling, the climbing, the throwing, the running—is definitely age-appropriate for your toddler, but there’s more to it than that... a lot more. Toddlers who stay active:
Sleep better. Here’s a perk of toddler activity that’s sure to perk you up: Kids who are active during the day conk out more easily at night (they’re tuckered out from all that activity) and have deeper, more restful sleep than children who tend to sit much of the day (cooped up in a car seat or a stroller, or in front of the TV). Just make sure that your little one starts to wind down as the day winds up. Too much activity too close to bedtime can rev your toddler’s engine just when it should be settling down, and that could actually prevent a good night’s sleep.
Are happier. Physical activity boosts mood by stimulating chemicals in the brain that leave your toddler more cheerful and, paradoxically, more relaxed (and a happier and more relaxed child translates to a happier and more relaxed parent).
Outlets for High-Energy Toddlers
All toddlers need to blow off steam once in a while—and some need to blow off more steam, more often. Whether your tot’s especially active by nature (even by toddler standards), or just having a particularly frustrating day (every toddler has plenty of those), providing acceptable outlets to blow off that extra steam can prevent those much-dreaded blowups. Encourage your toddler to try these activities when he or she is reaching a boiling point:
“Drumming” on pots
Hammering on a workbench
Pounding on play clay
Splashing in the tub or kiddie pool
Pulling weeds in the garden (only for toddlers who won’t be tempted to taste)
Pillow fights (in a safe space)
Punching a punching bag or a pillow
Once your child has calmed down, try to figure out whether there was a trigger setting off the wilder-than-normal behavior (he became overly frustrated, she didn’t nap, an entire chocolate cupcake was consumed) and see if you can find a way to circumvent it in the future, preventing a repeat.
Burn up energy in more positive ways. All that excess toddler energy has to burn off somehow. A toddler who’s physically active has opportunities to burn more of it off in constructive ways (rolling a ball, dancing to music, scooting along on a riding toy, chasing butterflies in the park) instead of in not-so-constructive ways (let’s say, tantrums). Being active helps a toddler work out frustrations, too—something every little one has lots of. And it’s frustrations, of course, that trigger so much of the behavior you find so frustrating (let’s say, tantrums).
Are healthier. Being physically active has long been linked to a more robust immune system in adults, and the same appears to hold true for little ones. Which means all that running around could actually cut down on your toddler’s runny noses.
Have better appetites. Sure, it’s hard to get your on-the-go toddler to break for a meal. But an active lifestyle actually does promote a healthier appetite. After all, the more active your tot is, the more fuel that busy engine will need to keep going... and going... and going.
Are less likely to become overweight. Since exercise helps control body fat, kids who are active in the toddler and preschool years aren’t only at a lower risk of childhood obesity, but are less likely to be overweight down the road. A leaner body, in turn, lowers the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and even many cancers—giving your little one a healthy start to a healthier future.
Are more likely to become active adults. Habits have a way of sticking around, and the earlier they’re formed, the more likely they are to stick for life. That goes for good habits (healthy eating, regular exercise) and bad ones (fast-food allegiance, couch-potato proclivity). Yet another compelling case for making physical activity a habit for your toddler now.
Convinced about the benefits of building lots of physical activity into your toddler’s routine, but not sure how far you’ll have to go (or how much time or money you’ll have to invest)? Actually, since toddlers appreciate the simple things in life, it’ll be practically effortless. In other words, signing up for those toddler tumbling classes or daily trips to the play gym—while fun—won’t be necessary. Instead, just:
Turn off the TV. Television-watching tots—like television-watching adults—rarely get the physical activity they need. In fact, there’s no activity that burns less energy than watching TV—even sitting around doing absolutely nothing burns more.
Limit time spent cooped up. True, a toddler-on-the-go needs a whole lot of supervision—and that supervision can sometimes be inconvenient (as when you’re rushing to get through the supermarket, dashing to the mailbox, running errands at the mall). But a toddler constantly cooped up in a stroller, a shopping cart, or a carrier doesn’t get the chance to flex those little muscles. Another benefit of leaving the stroller at home at least some of the time? You’ll be getting your exercise, too, chasing after your go-getter.
Get physical together. There’s no better way to encourage your toddler to be physically active than to get active yourself. Whether it’s a morning walk or an afternoon dance party, a yoga session on the living room floor or a beach ball roll in the backyard, getting physical together will keep you healthier together.
Take it outside. A little fresh air actually kicks up the benefits of physical activity—especially when it comes to better sleep and mood. Exposure to daylight also pumps up the exercise perks. So as long as the weather cooperates, try to give your toddler at least some of that daily run-around outdoors.
Keep it fun and simple. Try any of these energy-expending activities, all toddler favorites:
Dancing to lively music
Tumbling and rolling (on a large mat or carpet, away from sharp corners and other hazards)
Kiddie aerobics (lead your toddler in just-for-fun toe touches, head-shoulder-knees-and-toes touches, and jumping jacks)
Beanbag tossing (in an area where no lamps or fragile items can be knocked over)
Lively circle games and action songs, such as “Hokey Pokey,” “Ring Around the Rosie,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Action games: Hide-and-Seek; Follow the Leader; Catch Me If You Can; Simon Says; Red Light, Green-Light
Pushing a push toy, pulling a wagon, or scooting on a riding toy
Practicing climbing stairs (supervised)
Free play: running, jumping, climbing, rolling, hopping
Playground play: swings, slide, jungle gym, teeter-totter
Ball rolling, bouncing, throwing, kicking
Bubble catching
Sometimes, a bundle of energy can become so overwound that constructive channeling (or getting ready for a nap or bed) is no longer possible. When this happens, it’s best to begin the unwinding process promptly. Try relaxing your toddler with any of these soothing activities:
Hugging, cuddling, or massage (accompanied by a gentle “shhhhh”)
Soft music, with or without lyrics
Reading a relaxing story
A warm bath
Playing simple puzzles (but only if your toddler doesn’t tend to be frustrated by them)
Doodling, painting with a brush or fingers, drawing with crayons or chalk
Clay play
Water play
Watching fish in a fish tank
Lying down on the grass and looking at the clouds
Stroking a stuffed animal
