Encourage Activity It might look like just child's play, but toddlers are hard at work learning important physical skills as they gain muscle control, balance, and coordination. Each new skill lets them progress to the next one, building on a foundation that leads to more complicated physical tasks, such as jumping rope, kicking a ball on the run, or turning a cartwheel. Toddlers always want to do more, which can motivate them to keep trying until they master a new skill, no matter what it takes. Take advantage of your toddler's natural desire to keep moving. Even at this early age, kids establish patterns of activity that carry through the rest of childhood. So an active toddler is likely to remain active later. Developing Skills Playing and learning are completely natural for toddlers, so mastering physical skills should be fun and games for them. Parents should give toddlers many opportunities to practice their developing skills while providing supervision so they stay safe while they learn. In addition to these physical accomplishments, toddlers are developing in other ways. Provide opportunities for yours to explore, ask questions, use his or her imagination, and practice fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks or coloring. Here's a guide to the physical skills toddlers are working, by age: Early Toddler Skills (12-24 months) walks independently pulls/carries toys while walking stoops and gets back up begins to run kicks a ball holds railing going up/down stairs walks backward Older Toddler Skills (24-36 months) balances 1 to 2 seconds on one foot climbs well bends over easily without falling runs well kicks ball forward both feet on step going up/down stairs starts to pedal tricycle throws ball over head How Much Activity Is Enough? For children 12-36 months old, current National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) guidelines recommend this much daily activity: at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led) at least 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play) As a general rule, toddlers shouldn't be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except for sleeping. That's a lot of work for parents and caregivers, but a lot of much-needed activity for toddlers. Encourage your toddler to be active, and remember how much he or she is learning along the way. Back to Articles Related Articles Learning, Play, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old Kids go from babies to toddlers during this time, from first steps to walking well. They also make major strides in language and communication. Read More Snacks for Toddlers Some toddlers may seem too busy exploring to slow down and eat. Others may be fickle about food or refuse to eat at mealtime. That's where healthy, well-timed snacks come in. Read More Toddler Reading Time Reading to toddlers lays the foundation for their independent reading later on. Here are some tips. Read More Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old Kids this age are naturally active, so be sure to provide lots of opportunities for your child to practice basic skills, such as running, kicking, and throwing. Read More Movement, Coordination, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old Most toddlers this age are walking and gaining even more control over their hands and fingers. Give your child lots of fun (and safe) things to do to encourage this development. Read More Safe Exploring for Toddlers Toddlers are learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, "outside" and "play" are common requests. Read More Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 and under. Read More Managing Your Toddler's Behavior (Video) Learn how to encourage good behavior, handle tantrums, and keep your cool when parenting your toddler. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.