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3.10: Physical Activity

  • Page ID
    139643
    • Todd LaMarr
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    Guidance on Physical Activity

    The World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep for children under 5 years of age provides recommendations on the amount of time in a 24-hour day that young children should spend being physically active or sleeping for their health and wellbeing. The guidelines from the WHO are similar to those from various countries, including Australia, Canada and South Africa (Draper et al., 2020; Okely et al., 2017; Tremblay et al., 2017). For infants and toddlers, the WHO guidelines recommend the following: [1]

    Infants (less than 1 year) should:

    • Be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play; more is better. For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake.
    • Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back). Screen time is not recommended. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
    • Have 14–17 hours (0–3 months of age) or 12–16 hours (4–11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps.

    Children 1–2 years of age should:

    • Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better.
    • Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time.
    • When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
    • Have 11–14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times.
    Outdoor play yard for toddlers with large climbing structure and low picnic table and shade structures overall all and encircled with cement.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Typical Outdoor play yard for toddlers. ([2])

    Unfortunately, many young children attending childcare centers do not meet the recommended amount of minutes for physical activity (Tandon, Saelens & Christakis, 2015). Although indoor and outdoor space and budgets can be restrictive for group care programs, there are strategies caregivers can implement to support the physical activity level of infants and toddlers. Previous studies have found that the size of the play area (Gubbels et al. 2012; Olesen, Kristensen, Korsholm & Froberg, 2013), having an indoor recreation room (Barbosa et al. 2016; Sando, 2019) and using indoor space for motor activities (Sugiyama, Okely, Masters & Moore, 2010) are positively associated with physical activity. Caregivers can create safe, open and age-appropriate spaces for mobile infants who are crawling and walking. Structures should allow infants the ability to safely practice developing motor abilities without the frequent intervention of adult caregivers. Low structures can help infants to stand up and offer support while standing and walking. [3]

    Indoors, children are more active when more space is available for playing. Tables, especially adult-sized tables, are related to a reduced level of physical activity (Nordtømme 2016; Sando, 2019). The arrangement of tables and the other furniture signal to children that they are expected to be seated at the tables and that physical and active play is not encouraged. Toddlers are significantly more active when jumping equipment is present, as well as when a fixed track was marked on the playground (Gubbels, Van Kann & Jansen, 2012). Just as indoor environments have marked areas for different activities, multicolor playground markings can increase children’s activity levels (Ridgers, Stratton, Fairclough & Twisk, 2007) by encouraging different physical activities. [4] [5]

    Outdoor area with paved bike path
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): A paved bike path helps create different opportunities for movement. ([6])

    [1]The WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years” from the World Health Organization is licensed under CC by NC SA 3.0.

    [2] Image by Todd LaMarr is licensed under CC by 4.0

    [3] Sando (2019). The physical indoor environment in ECEC settings: Children’s well-being and physical activity. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(4), 506-519. CC by 4.0

    [4] Sando (2019). The physical indoor environment in ECEC settings: Children’s well-being and physical activity. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(4), 506-519. CC by 4.0

    [5] Gubbels et al., (2012). Play equipment, physical activity opportunities, and children's activity levels at childcare. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. CC by 3.0

    [6] Image by Todd LaMarr is licensed under CC by 4.0


    This page titled 3.10: Physical Activity is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Todd LaMarr.