Physical Activity (Babies)

Physical activity and regular movement are important throughout a person’s entire life – starting at birth! And for the first time, Canada now has guidelines as to how much activity babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers should be getting and why.

Check it out! Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years

We also now have guidelines about the sedentary behaviours during the early years. One take home message from these guidelines is that for children under 2 years, screen time [e.g. TV, computer, electronic games] is not recommended and for children 2-4 years, screen time should be limited to under one hour per day; less is better.

Check it out! Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years

Physical Literacy

Have you heard of it? Physical Literacy means: “Moving with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.” PHE Canada

In a nutshell, children need to be taught how to read and write. They also need to be taught how to run, jump and throw. Movement is a child’s first language. Movement is how we interact with the world. That’s physical literacy.

To learn more, visit the Active for Life magazine, where parents go for their kids’ health and success.

Resources

• Parents as Role Models
• Turning Off the Tube!
• Haldimand-Norfolk REACH – Ontario Early Years Centre
  • a welcoming place for parents and caregivers
  • a place to access information and programs
  • a place to have fun with your children
  • a place to give children a good start in their education
  • a place…. To Play ~ To Learn ~ To Grow!
• Best Start
  Ontario’s Maternal Newborn and Early Child Development Resource Centre
• Physical Activity and Your Preschooler: How Much Your Child Needs [You Tube video].
• Norfolk County Community Services
  Check out the activities available in the community for you and your family and friends.
• Haldimand County Leisure Services
  Check out the activities available in the community for you and your family and friends.
• Eat Right, Be Active:
  • http://www.eatrightontario.ca/.
  • http://www.eatrightontario.ca/
• ParticipACTION – Bring Back Play
  Playing outside kept us happy and healthy when we were kids. So let’s dust off our bike helmets, skip rope or play hide-and-seek in the park. It’s time to bring back play!
• NutriSTEP
  Nutrition Screening Tool for every Preschooler

Questions on Physical Activity?

Call the Physical Activity Promoter at the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623. Active bodies need to be well fed. Check out the Nutrition and Healthy Eating section of our website.