Physical activity for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

A healthy 24 hours includes:

Being physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play. More is better. Floor-based play is a supervised play style in which infants move on the floor and develop motor skills through activities such as rolling, crawling, and reaching, or grabbing for objects, toys, etc.

For infants who are not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake.

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. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that the exception is video chatting with caring adults, such as extended family. Reading or storytelling with your baby is encouraged.

Fourteen to 17 hours (for those aged zero to three months) or 12 to 16 hours (for those aged four to 11 months) of good-quality sleep, including naps.

For physical activity tips for babies visit the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years, and tummy time for babies.

A healthy 24-hours includes:

At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including energetic play, spread throughout the day.  More is better.

• Not being restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high-chair) or sitting for extended periods.
• Sedentary screen time is not recommended for children younger than two years. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that the exception is video chatting with caring adults, such as extended family. For children aged two years, sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour. Less is better.
• When sedentary, activities such as reading or storytelling with a caregiver are encouraged.

• Eleven to 14 hours of good-quality sleep, including naps, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.

A healthy 24-hours includes:

At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities spread throughout the day, of which at least 60 minutes is energetic play. More is better.

Ten to 13 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.

• Not being restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or car seat) or sitting for extended periods.
• Sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour. Less is better. The Canadian Paediatric Society also provides information and tips on screen use and young children.
• When sedentary, activities such as reading or storytelling with a caregiver are encouraged.