Physical activity starts in the early years and provides children with the abilities they need to interact with and explore their world. Children develop movement skills in a similar order. First they gain control of their neck, then they learn to roll, then how to sit and eventually, how to walk. These are some of the basic physical developmental milestones. You can help your child learn and practice new movement skills by playing and promoting physical activity. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 years) recommend a balance of moving, sitting and sleeping for children to encourage healthy growth and development – the whole day matters!
NOTICE: The physical activity examples found in this area of our website were developed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not be suitable in the current environment. Please remember the need for physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces and toys, when planning activities for children. Learn more →
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4years)
Active Play with Your Preschooler
Southwest Physical Activity Promoters Network (SWPAPN)
The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 Years) recommends a balance of moving, sleeping and sitting in a 24-hour period. Keep your baby, toddler and preschooler active every day to help them grow well and be healthy. Read more:
Any activity you can do safely with your child is good for their healthy growth and development, and building a lifelong love of physical activity. Try to cut down on the time that your baby, toddler or preschooler spends being sedentary (e.g. sitting in an infant seat or playpen) when they are awake.
Physical activity begins in infancy and continues throughout life. For healthy growth and development, babies, toddlers and preschoolers need to be physically active.
In the first year of life, play with your baby several times each day choosing a safe place such as a blanket on the floor. Make safety your first priority as you allow your infant to experience movement through grasping toys, rolling from side to side or crawling.
When your baby begins to crawl, inspect the floor for any small objects he or she could choke on. If a small object or toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, it is too small for children under age 3.
Here are some other ideas for you to try:
Give your infant regular “tummy time.” When they lift their head to look around, they strengthen their neck and upper body. After all those push-ups, crawling will be next!
Here are some tips and reasons for tummy time:
For images and more information, check out:
Toddlers (1-2 years) should get at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day at any intensity, including energetic play. Any activity that gets your child moving is great (e.g. crawling, climbing stairs, or fast walking). More activity provides even greater health benefits.
Here are some other ideas for you to try:
Preschoolers (3-4 years) should get at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day, of which at least 60 minutes is energetic play - more is better. Energetic play refers to activities for young children that get them working hard, breathing heavy and feeling warm. Suggested activities include running, dancing or playing outside. More activity provides even greater health benefits!
Here are some other ideas for you to try:
Whatever activity you do, make sure it’s fun. This builds positive feelings about physical activity that will help your growing child to be active for life!
For healthy growth and development reduce sitting time during waking hours.
Social Media Campaign
The SWPAPN Social Media Campaign can be used by individuals and organizations to raise awareness about the right amount of physical activities, sedentary behaviours and sleep children in the early years need for healthy growth and development.
