Message to sports parents, unbuckle the high chair

A new slant on the sports training for really young kids debate.

British medical experts conclude that children under five years old need three hours each day when they're not strapped or buckled down. That is, time free of car seats, high chairs, jammy jump-ups and so on.

From the BBC:

"Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, said all young children should be encouraged to be active.

"For children that are not yet walking, there is considerable international evidence that letting children crawl, play or roll around on the floor is essential during early years.

"Play that allows under-fives to move about is critical and three hours a day is essential."

Essentially, the message is that kids need to move to be happy and healthy, that kids who are restrained in various baby contraptions are more likely to be the adults who become immovable objects on the living room couch.

I see nothing in the BBC report to challenge earlier assertions in this space that structured exercise programs for babies and toddler are unnecessary. Or a waste of time and money. Just let your kid climb down from the high chair. And let her do what kids do.

Thank you, Paula Fernandes.

Sports training for babies may be overrated

Discouraging news for parents who have invested heavily in sports DVDs for toddlers and even infants. (I just bought one as a gift for a cousin whose new baby will be under heavy pressure to start at linebacker for Penn State in 2027).

These training tools probably accomplish nothing.

I admit I had my suspicions. Now they've been confirmed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently published a study concluding that TV and videos for kids under 2 may not influence skill development.

From the AAP: "Researchers looked at the amount of time 872 children spent watching television or videos from birth to 2 years of age, then assessed their language and visual motor skills at age 3. When researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence these skills, such as maternal education and breastfeeding, the effect of television appeared neutral. Contrary to many parents’ perception that television viewing is beneficial to their children’s brain development, the researchers found no evidence of such a benefit."

Ok, next time I buy the infant tackling dummies.