Babies (0 to 12 months)
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years
For healthy growth and development, infants should achieve the recommended balance of physical activity, high-quality sedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep.
A healthy 24 hours includes:
Movement
As children learn language skills through reading and writing, they also need to learn movement skills through playing and trying new things; this is “physical literacy”. 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. Infants under one year of age should be active several times each day, in a variety of ways. 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.
Sleep
Sleep is important for your baby’s growth and development, especially for their rapidly developing brain. Visit our infant sleep page to learn more about your baby’s changing sleep needs.
Sit (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.