Dr. Cherilyn Davis (Active Play Matters)
Dr. Cherilyn Davis highlights how physical activity fuels early childhood development—from babies building strength through rolling and reaching to toddlers enhancing coordination ...
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How can parents encourage physical activity in children?
As a parent, one of the best things you can do is encourage outdoor play, exploration and movement, whether it's through structured sports, casual play at the park, or simply building active playtime into your schedule around at home. You're helping your child build coordination and strength.
How do babies build strength and coordination?
In the earliest stages, babies begin to build strength through movements like rolling over, sitting up, and eventually crawling. Although it's important to note that some babies do skip crawling and it's no longer considered a developmental milestone, these early physical milestones help establish core strength, which is essential for all other physical activities that come later. Every time your baby reaches for a toy, stretches to grab something or pushes up to sit, they're building muscles and improving coordination.
What is the link between physical activity and cognitive development?
Physical activity is also linked to cognitive development. When children are engaged in physical play, their brains are being stimulated in ways that enhance learning, problem solving and memory. In fact, the more active children are, the better they perform academically and emotionally.