Fact sheet: Movement and exercise: 0-5 years

From the Centre for Community Child Health

You can help to give your child a lifelong love of exercise and movement by being active yourself, and by cheering them along as they discover physical activity.

Birth to 1 year

It might seem funny to think of movement for little babies, but supervised floor-based play is a great way to get started:

• Tummy time helps babies develop their neck muscles, an essential early movement skill.
• Soft toys encourage touching, holding, reaching, pushing and pulling.

Once infants are mobile, you can:

• Encourage movement by playing music and making noise with objects.
• Create tunnels out of chairs or boxes to make moving even more of an adventure.

Tip: Try to avoid television, especially fast-paced shows. If your child does watch TV, share the songs and actions together!

1 to 5 years

Your toddler or preschooler needs to aim to be physically active every day for at least three hours! That sounds like a lot, but every little bit adds up and most toddlers and preschoolers will naturally want to move this much and more.

Fun ways to encourage your child to move:

• visit playgrounds
• play games like obstacle courses, follow the leader or tip/tag

On rainy days, try:

• playing dress ups
• yoga and stretching
• moving like different animals - gallop like horses!
  
  

More information

You can find more helpful information on the Raising Children Network. If more help is needed please consult your family doctor or paediatrician.

• Visit Raising Children Network - Movement and play: newborns
• Visit Raising Children Network - Movement and play: babies
• Visit Raising Children Network - Movement and play: toddlers
• Visit Raising Children Network - Movement and play: preschoolers
• Visit Raising Children Network - Physical activity for young children
• Visit Raising Children Network - Rough-and-tumble play: a guide
• Visit Raising Children Network - Outdoor play
• Visit Raising Children Network - Toddlers: physical activity
• Visit Raising Children Network - Preschoolers: physical activity

Illustrated guides

• Visit Raising Children Network - Tummy time for babies: in pictures