My pediatrician recommends my kids get at least an hour of playtime each day and plenty of time outdoors, too. How important are these recommendations when there are so many other demands on our time, too?
Dr. Nathan Chomilo: Remember that those recommendations are for the whole day, which for most kids includes the time they’re in school or childcare. Did they have gym time? Recess? Swimming lessons? A sports practice? Those all apply to that recommendation. Also, understand that there’s nothing magical about that number. Try to stay in the range, on average, over the course of a week. But if on one of those days your child spends the day reading or staying indoors, that’s okay.
It might help to focus on the activities that monopolize their time and try to rebalance those with playtime and outdoor time. If your kids are struggling to spend time outdoors but have no problem spending time playing video games, set an expectation that for every 15 minutes on a screen, they’ll spend 30 minutes outside (or on another screen-free activity). Clear expectations that reflect your priorities as a parent can help kids think about and balance their competing desires.
Dr. Nathan Chomilo is a respected Twin Cities pediatrician and internist. He is an outspoken equity advocate whose work has included championing the impact early childhood intervention and healthcare access have on the long-term prospects of children and how physicians and health systems can address racial and health equity. He is also the medical director for the State of Minnesota Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion’s Executive Committee and serves on the board of directors of Reach Out and Read MN and Reach Out and Read National.