Active Play

Babies need bouts of physical activity throughout the day. Playing with your baby on the floor is a great way to do this. You are your baby's best playmate. Bond with your baby through active play! 

Active babies:   

• Play on their tummies for tummy time 
• Reach for or grasp toys
• Play and roll on the floor
• Crawl around the home

Tips to get your infant moving:

• Create safe play spaces
• Play music and move to it
• Put toys where they can reach them
• Encourage them

Babies develop physical literacy through early movement. Grasping, rolling over, crawling and walking are the beginnings of physical literacy. Encourage your baby to move in age appropriate ways from birth. 

Need ideas to help your infant develop motor skills? Visit Active for Life

https://activeforlife.com/activities-for-babies-and-toddlers/ 

Your child needs at least 180 minutes of physical activity each day. Play with your child. You are their role model. Make physical activity a part of everyday. 

Active toddlers & preschoolers: 

• Move around their home
• Play outside and explore
• Crawl, walk, run, and dance
• Hop and jump
• Play with balls, bubbles, or ride-on toys
• Like activities that get them moving

Tips to get your child moving:

• Create safe play spaces
• Play music and move to it
• Dress for the weather and go outside
• Play with other children
• Get where you're going by walking

Follow this link from Active for Life to learn more about how active play supports your child brain development, physical development, language development and mental health. 

Toddlers and preschoolers continue to develop their physical literacy through movement. Practicing crawling, walking and running supports physical literacy development. Encourage your child to practice these skills often.   

Need ideas to help your child practice their motor skills? Visit Active for Life

https://activeforlife.com/activities-for-babies-and-toddlers/

Sedentary activities involve very little movement. Screen time is a common sedentary activity. Using tablets, playing on phones, and watching TV are examples of screen time. Monitor your child’s screen time. Less is best. 

How much screen time should I let my child have? 

• Children 2 years old and under should not have screen time.
• Children between 2 and 4 years old should have less than 1 hour of screen time each day. 

When your little one needs some down time, activities like reading with a parent and craft activities are good choices. 

 Tips to reduce sedentary behaviour:

• Limit the use of playpens, infant seats and strollers
• Set rules about screen time
• Keep electronic devices out of bedrooms
• Encourage outdoor play
• Play with your child

For more information about managing your child’s screen time, visit the Caring for Kids website.