His exercise prescription for children is twenty to thirty minutes of heart work, three to four times a week. Dr. Cynthia Hasbrook, professor in human kinetics at the University of Wisconsin, points out that parents and teachers should avoid the bootcamp approach. A pushy parent hollering from the bleachers or insisting on four more pushups can turn a kid away from exercise for life. Children should be taught skills which can be used later in life. A child who cannot play games will have a hard time staying fit.
Parents often underestimate how dearly children want to play well.
The development of skills gives a boost to a child's self-image. Motor skills can be taught at a young age. Even though children develop at different rates, the following guide should clarify what to expect at various age levels without pushing too hard. Birth to Two Years Physical contact with parents is the first step toward developing motor skills. Even when changing a child's diapers you can move his legs or arms.