Young Children (Birth- 5 years)
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- unstructured 'free' play e.g. playing in a sandpit, dress ups
- Structured play e.g. creative movement class
- Active transport e.g. scooter or bike
- Everyday physical tasks e.g. helping with cooking or picking up toys
Summary of National Physical Activity Guidelines from Birth- 5 years
Subgroup/Reference |
Physical
Activity Guidelines |
Sedentary
Behaviour Guidelines |
Children
birth- 5 years |
1. For healthy development in infants (birth- 1 year), physical activity – particularly floor- based play in safe environments- should be encouraged from birth. 2. Toddlers (1-3 years) and pre-schoolers (3-5 years) should be physically active every day for at least 3 hours, spread throughout the day. |
3. For children 2-5 years of age, sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic media should be limited to less than 1 hour per day. 4. Children younger than 2 years should not spend any time watching television or using other electronic media (DVD’s, computer and other electronic games). 5. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be sedentary, or kept inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping. |