Parents urged to introduce children to running gradually and safely for Children’s Day

Experts highlight the importance of gradual, supervised introduction to running for children, emphasising fun and health over competition and speed, as families celebrate Children’s Day.

With Children’s Day falling on Sunday, August 16, the occasion can be more than a celebration. It can also be a prompt for parents to introduce children to running in a way that supports health without pushing them too fast. Doctors quoted by El Comercio say the key is to distinguish playful movement from a structured running routine, and to begin only when a child’s body is ready.

Misael Ramos, a knee surgeon and sports medicine specialist at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño de Breña, says organised running is generally better suited to children from around six or seven years old, when walking and coordination are more developed. He advises parents to think first about readiness, not competition, and to avoid treating running as a miniature version of adult training. The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children can handle simple organised sports by age six, but the emphasis should remain on basic skills, flexibility and enjoyment.

Before a child starts a running programme, Ramos recommends a check-up with a paediatric orthopaedist or trauma specialist to rule out congenital problems and assess whether the child can safely take part. That caution is echoed in guidance from Children’s Health and Cleveland Clinic, which both stress gradual progression, low pressure and a focus on fun rather than distance or speed. A pre-participation physical assessment is also commonly recommended in US sports medicine guidance before a child begins a new sport.

Breathing problems deserve equal attention. Paloma Canales, head of paediatric pulmonology at the same hospital in Breña, says children who are not used to exercise will naturally tire, but parents should watch how long recovery takes and whether shortness of breath is accompanied by other symptoms. If breathlessness, coughing, wheezing, chest pain or headaches continue after one to two months of regular activity and adaptation, she says a specialist evaluation and lung function testing may be needed. Canales adds that asthma or allergic rhinitis does not mean a child must avoid sport, provided the condition is properly controlled.

Ramos says preparation matters as much as age. Warm-ups, stretching and muscle strengthening help children adapt to the demands of running, especially because growing bodies are more vulnerable to overuse injuries. He points to pain in the front of the knee, heel or upper hip as warning signs that training may be too intense. Rest may ease the pain temporarily, but that does not mean the problem has gone away.

The broader message from paediatric and sports medicine specialists is clear: children should enter running gradually, with close adult supervision and realistic expectations. Children’s clinics warn that overtraining can lead to common overuse injuries, while running guidance for young athletes consistently recommends rest, recovery and careful technique. For parents, the safest start is not distance or pace, but attention, patience and a willingness to let the child progress at their own rhythm.