When it comes to exercise, the more the better. Elementary school-age children should spend at least 30 to 60 minutes every day running, jumping and playing, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Children, the group thinks, should not have extended periods of inactivity. A child is never too young to play.
Unstructured play can provide just as many benefits.
Organized athletics also have their merits. Children can polish their motor skills, meet new friends and benefit from coaching. But they aren't for every child, especially if the focus is more on winning than enjoyment. And it is generally recommended that parents wait until their child is 6 or older before starting them in team sports because many children do not understand the concept of teamwork until this age. Unstructured play is recommended before then.