Physical activity for babies and toddlers

Babies (0 to 12 months)

A healthy 24 hours for babies includes:

Movement

Children learn movement skills through playing and trying new things. Reaching and grasping, rolling-over, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking all help your baby develop motor skills and will help build strength and coordination.

Encourage your baby to move right from the start. Focus on interactive floor-based play. For infants not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake.

Here are some ways to get active with your baby:

• Get on the floor and play face-to-face with your baby.
• Gently bounce your baby on your knee.
• Crawl on the floor with your baby.
• Put your baby down on the floor for tummy time. Place soft balls and toys near your baby for them to reach and grasp.

Sitting (sedentary behaviour)

Try to limit the amount of time that your baby is restrained to no more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or highchair). Screen time is not recommended for children under two years of age. Instead, try reading or listening to music with your baby.

For physical activity tips for babies visit the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years, Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit's Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play video and the LookSee Checklist by NDSS.

Toddlers and preschoolers

For toddlers (aged one to two years), a healthy 24-hours includes: 

Movement

At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including energetic play, spread throughout the day – more is better.

Sitting (sedentary behaviour)

• Not being restrained or sitting for more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high chair).
• Sedentary screen time is not recommended for children younger than two years. For those aged two years, sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour – less is better.
• When sedentary, high quality activities such as reading or storytelling with a caregiver should be encouraged.
• At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities spread throughout the day, of which at least 60 minutes is energetic play – more is better.
• Ten to 13 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
• Not being restrained or sitting for more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high chair).
• Sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour – less is better.
• When sedentary, high quality activities such as reading or storytelling with a caregiver should be encouraged.

For preschoolers (aged three to four years)

A healthy 24-hours includes: 

Movement

At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities spread throughout the day, of which at least 60 minutes is energetic play – more is better.

Sleep

Ten to 13 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.

Sitting (sedentary behaviour)

• Not being restrained or sitting for more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high chair).
• Sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour – less is better.
• When sedentary, high quality activities such as reading or storytelling with a caregiver should be encouraged.