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Physical Activity — Children & Youth

Physical Activity — Children & Youth

Children with equipment

Child care is an important setting for promoting physical activity. The first five years of a child’s life are a time for healthy development. With many children under five spending most of their day in care, child care providers have a great influence on children’s daily routines and participation in physical activity.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

Children need physical activity everyday for their healthy development. Learn the recommended balance of physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour (things you do sitting or lying down) from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep.
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Children and Youth (5-17 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep

Related Resources

2016 Child Care Symposium Slides – Outdoor Play, Risky Play and Healthy Child Development
Active for Life— Raising physically literate kids
Have a Ball Together— physical activity resources for professionals from Best Start Resource Centre

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep.

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Children and Youth (5-17 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep

Related Resources

2016 Child Care Symposium Slides – Outdoor Play, Risky Play and Healthy Child Development

Active for Life— Raising physically literate kids

Have a Ball Together— physical activity resources for professionals from Best Start Resource Centre