I Move We Move - Good For Kids - NSW Government

How much physical activity do young children need?
For healthy growth and development, it is best for young children to be physically active every day
in as many ways as they can and not be inactive for long periods of time. The more time children
spend sitting the less time they have for playing and being active.
There are National Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0-5 years (these recommendations
are draft and subject to endorsement by the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference). To support
and guide parents and carers of young children in working towards meeting these new
recommendations, Good for Kids encourages that:
• Babies (from birth to 1 year old) are placed on the floor in a safe spot for supervised play time
(e.g. on their tummy with soft toys), whenever they are awake. Start with 10 seconds each time,
building up to 10 minutes or as long as baby is enjoying it
• Toddlers and preschoolers (1 to 5 years) participate in at least 3 hours of physical activity each day.
This can be done in short blocks of time spread throughout the day. This can include active
playtime, walking or riding for transport and leisure activities
• All young children avoid being sedentary or inactive for more than 1 hour at a time unless they
are sleeping
• All young children limit the amount of time spent sitting still in front of ‘small screens’ (television
or computer) for fun. Let’s call this small screen time. Less small screen time gives children more
time for other important things like active play time and reading time (with you or by themselves)
that help develop their body and brain
• Children under 2 years old avoid any small screen time
• Children aged 2 to 5 years keep small screen time to no more than 1 hour a day
I Move We Move, The Guide Edition 1 August 2009
Young kids
need at least
3 hours of
physical activity
every day
Find out more www.goodforkids.nsw.gov.au
AREA HEALTH SERVICE
AREA HEALTH SERVICE
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