180 Minutes Under the Grand Age of 5

Promoting children’s exercise is becoming more of a priority now than it ever has been. It’s said that toddlers and children under the age of 5 should be encouraged to be active at least 180 minutes a day (which is 3 hours to me and you). However, it’s easier said than done when you’ve got a 3 year old who refuses to do anything but play with Makka Pakka from In The Night Garden or a 5 year old who is transforming himself into the latest super hero (or villain – in the parents case).

More and more children everyday are said to be “overweight” and are encouraged to do more exercise. When researching into this, it is said that the so called ‘180 active minutes’ should involve a range of light activity and also more energetic activity. As the child is still under the grand age of 5, it then unfortunately becomes the duty of the parents to get their child active! So, Parents: ‘light activity’ – fabulous and also easy, no effort, just simply being up and not sitting on the sofa (or floor)… perfect! However ‘energetic activity’ suddenly becomes the most horrifying thing ever.. it brings goosebumps to every parent.. yes it means.. you’re going to have to exercise with them – they can’t do it on their own. This is where parents of young children start to reach out to others around them, other mums on the school run, friends and work colleagues frantically asking what they can do to get their child more active. Best case scenario: get them to a club – great -there is a nice little sports club down the road, once a week – spot on, just what I was looking for… and then comes the question: “how old are they” and then the “sorry, we don’t take children who are under 8”. This is the most infuriating thing I have come across as a sports coach “Sorry they are too young” – but why? why are they too young? Children who are active are said to have stronger muscles and bones,  less likely to become overweight and this then will decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (to be extreme) but by saying “they are too young” you are practically wishing a young superheroes life away at the age of 5 years old!

Danielle, one of our coaches at Trainer Talk South Devon, also coaches with a local company called Athletots. The youngest age they work with is 3 years old but they also have a number of 4 year old's and a 5 year old who yes – becomes a new super hero every week and you often see the coaches having to run around pretending to be a villain but the main aim is getting that young child active and making a difference to their life. We are 100% aware that I am not “saving the world” (There are plenty of 5 year old's that will do that for me). However I do believe that we should not only help children to be active but embrace the younger child that is hidden within us as well, else I think life can become very boring if you are simply ‘grown up’. ​

Getting your child interested and engaged within sport at a young age will help to improve their life in the future. Keeping healthy will be a natural thing for them and they won't have to think twice about exercise when they are old and wise. If you are interested in finding a sports club suitable for your child but don't know where to start, head to the Athletots website to find out more.

More information on the NHS Guidelines for Physical Activity for children under 5 can be found here via this link: ​http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-children.aspx