Excerpts from Dr. JE MacLean’s original article for the First 2000 Days Network
In November 2017 the Canadian 24h Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 years) were released – a Canadian and World first. These new evidence-based guidelines are important because they not only provide physical activity targets, but also recommendations about sedentary activity (such as screen time) as well as how much sleep is needed for healthy growth and development. As young children grow they need to work towards high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and high levels of sleep each day—in the language of the guidelines, they need to Move, Sleep and Sit to achieve healthy and balanced lives.
According to the new guidelines, a healthy 24 hours for very young children includes:
- For infants (under 1 year old):
- MOVE: Being physically active several times in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play. For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake.
- SLEEP: 14-17 hours (for those aged 0-3 months) or 12-16 hours (for those aged 4-11 months) of good-quality sleep, including naps.
- SIT: Not being restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g. in a high chair). When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged. Screen time is not recommended.
- For toddlers (1-2 years old) and preschoolers (3-4 years old):
- MOVE: At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities at any intensity spread throughout the day, but more is better. Include energetic play for both age groups, with preschoolers getting at least 60 minutes of it.
- SLEEP: 11-14 hours of good-quality sleep for toddlers, and 10-13 for preschoolers, which may include naps, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
- SIT: Not being restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g. in a stroller) or sitting for extended periods. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged. Sedentary screen time for those younger than two years old is not recommended, and no more than one hour for those aged 2-4 years, but less is better.
Get to know the Canadian 24h Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 years)
The first step in working towards helping Canadian Early Years children to meet these recommendations is to get to know the guidelines. The guidelines are available at http://csepguidelines.ca/early-years-0-4/ along with links to all the background work behind them. You can also read Dr. MacLean’s full article by contacting [email protected]. The more people who know what a healthy 24 hours should look like for young children, the better chance we have at helping them to get there.
