Right from the moment they’re born, kids learn about and interact with the world around them through physical activity.

Running, jumping, climbing and playing helps to build up their muscles and bones and improve their co-ordination, ready for the enormous challenges they face in the months and years ahead.

Regular activity will also:

• Improve their overall long term health
• Keep their heart healthy
• Keep their bones, muscles and joints healthy and improve overall flexibility
• Improve their mood

In the very early days, you probably won’t need to encourage them at all. But it’s worth getting them into the habit of staying active as early as possible with games, pastimes and activities to make exercise part of their daily lives as they get older.

Here are just some ways you can work a little extra physical activity into every day you spend with your child:

• Go walking.
• Walk to the shops for everyday items.
• Walk to the playgroup.
• Visit the park and let your children run around.
• Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalators.
• Dance to music together.