Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Less Active

Friends, Family and Home

• Play quiet activities but also introduce activities that are fun and active.
• Plan family walks and bike rides, trips to the mall and other active outings.
• Play quiet activities such as board games or cards with your child.
• Plan play dates for your child and his friends to become more active.

Learning, Childcare and School

• Provide her with quieter activities such as puzzles, matching games, and play dough.
• Use childcare programs with a low child-staff ratio to ensure he gets enough attention.
• Ask teachers to balance her time between physical and nonphysical activities.
• Choose a childcare program that encourages children to play actively outdoors and indoors.

Activities and Television

• Give him art materials, small figures such as animals and building toys.
• Limit television to less than 10 hours per week for older children, less for younger.
• Involve her in physical play activities with other children.
• Visit the playground often.
• Provide infants with interactive toys that encourage movement.

Guidance and Discipline

• Encourage him to be active but understand his need to be quiet and calm.
• Provide active chores but also calmer ones such as folding socks or setting the table.
• Require outside time or doing something active before or in exchange for TV time.
• Make sure to stop and play, hold and talk to your quiet baby.