Play matters! This month our friends at the Alabama Partnership for Children remind us of the importance of play for young children. Lifelong fitness is something that everyone should aim for, and the best time to learn healthy habits is in early childhood.

Most parents put their children in sports to keep them active, but before doing this there are a few things to consider. Make sure that the activity is age appropriate. Toddlers and preschoolers are still mastering motor skills, so organized sports aren’t designed for them. Supervise and interact with young children while they play indoors or outdoors – it’s important to simply keep them active and safe. When children are old enough for sports (typically around age 6) make sure they enjoy the sport. If a child isn’t having fun with whatever activity she is doing, she probably won’t want to participate in it again.

Share your favorite activities for indoor or outdoor play in the comments! For more ideas for age appropriate play, check out this article from the Mayo Clinic.