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Kids are always active. They had energy to work off, so to provide them with the best workouts it is simply a matter of directing them rather than inventing a new game.

The best workouts are aerobic ones that develop endurance rather than muscular workouts. Thus, it is better to have them chase a ball than lift a weight. The first exercises their hearts while the second might simply add bulk to their bodies. Climbing contributes nothing to health but it is wonderful for manipulative skills, flexibility and structure.

So, the very best exercises to encourage are walking and running.

From the very moment they can stand and walk kids should be encouraged to run. You can do this by having them chase a ball on the lawn or even by chasing them towards the ball. They love trying to evade a parent and it may also provide you with a little exercise as well.

Walking is almost as good an exercise as running, although it takes longer, so leave the stroller at home. Encourage them to walk even though it may take carrying them when they get a little tired. We have twin daughters, now aged 20-months. Having walked half a mile with me around our development a few months ago they happily walked a mile or more, enthusiastically, around the zoo yesterday.

The stroller, previously essential to take them to the mall or the food store is now being less used and will soon be discarded. They love walking. The only problem, with twins, is to keep them on track together on sidewalks. They each have their preferences as to which direction they want to follow. As soon as we are content on sidewalks the next challenge will be to have them walk through the food store.

Many parents move through food stores with small children in monstrous imitation trucks attached to the front of shopping carts. Ours will walk thereby getting more exercise and learning a little control on what they can touch and what they cannot. That's going to be tough, I know, but when was anything of value easy?

Swimming is another good exercise and while presently our twins simply play and splash in the pool, before the age of two-and-a-half they will have swimming lessons. While swimming is nothing like as good an exercise as running, it provides a healthy alternative throughout life.

In school, athletics, soccer and swimming are the best exercises and the finest sports so that's where our emphasis will be instead of team games like baseball where each participant spends most of their time sitting down and doing nothing.

Above all parents need to take part in their children's activities and gain themselves.

Learn more about this author, John Graham.
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