FIRST 5 LA WANTS TODDLERS TO GET MORE EXERCISE

"Learning to maintain both physical and mental health is one of the most important things that a parent or caregiver can teach a child," said Evelyn V. Martinez, chief executive officer of First 5 LA. "What's more, many studies suggest overall fitness affects everything from a child's behavior to his ability to focus on tasks for successful learning."

Regular physical activity helps young children build strong bones and muscles, healthy hearts, lungs and arteries, and improved coordination, balance, posture and flexibility. It also reduces the risks for many chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, and helps children maintain a healthy weight, one of First 5 LA's strategic goals.

According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, a non-profit organization that sets the standard for best practices in quality physical education and sport, preschoolers need a minimum of two hours of physical activity daily - including one hour structured (adult-led) and an hour unstructured (free play). They should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time (except when sleeping).

First 5 LA suggests the following exercises for toddlers to get them moving on their feet and having fun:

Tightrope Walk

• Place a piece of masking tape on the floor.
• Walk together along the "tightrope."
• Try to stay on the line. Walk backwards, forward and sideways.
• Result: Helps develop balance. Exercises foot muscles.

Stretches

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Have your child follow your movements.
• Move into a crouching position.
• Stretch slowly upwards until you are standing. Stretch your hands over your head.
• Lower your hands slowly to your sides.
• Return to a crouching position and repeat.
• Result: Stretches entire body.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes

• Stand facing your child.
• Slowly call out the names of each body part in the title, asking your child to touch each body part as you name it.
• Once your child does this successfully, mix up the order of the body parts.
• Quicken your pace.
• Result: Helps your child identify body parts. Also helps with flexibility and understanding the concepts of up, down, low and high.