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How many hours a day does the average 3-4 year old spend being sedentary (not including sleep time)? 3.4 hours 5.8 hours 7.5 hours 10 hours Source: ParticipACTION. (2015). The Biggest Risk is Keeping Kids Indoors. The 2015 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

How many hours a day does the average 3-4 year old spend being sedentary (not including sleep time)? 3.4 hours 5.8 hours 7.5 hours 10 hours

Examples of sedentary behaviour: Sitting for long periods, like in a stroller or classroom Riding in a bus or car Watching television Playing video games Playing on computers, tablets and phones Source: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). (2012). Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Handbook.

Forms the foundation for physical activity Includes motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding Fundamental movement skills as building blocks: – Running, jumping, skipping – Throwing, catching, kicking – Stretching, twisting, balancing Forms the foundation for a lifetime of movement Source: Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement. (2015).

Cognitive Development Enhances the development of brain function Improves problem-solving abilities Increases attention and concentration Improves memory Increases readiness to learn Improves learning and academic performance    

Social Development Provides opportunities to practice and develop social skills Encourages interactions with others Helps develop friendships Teaches life skills Promotes leadership skills Helps nurture imagination and creativity Promotes positive behaviour

Emotional Development Provides enjoyment and makes children feel happy Reduces anxiety and relieves stress Improves the ability to deal with stress Prevents, reduces, and helps manage depression Helps build confidence Helps develop positive self-esteem

Physical Development Helps a child grow Builds and maintains a healthy heart, lungs, bones, muscles and joints Fosters the development of motor skills including fundamental movement skills Gives energy during the day Helps a child sleep better at night Enhances flexibility Develops good posture Improves coordination and balance Helps achieve

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Video transcript  

Source: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). (2012). Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Handbook. Source: ParticipACTION. (n.d.). Follow the Guidelines, Reap the Rewards. Source: Timmons, B. W., LeBlanc, A. G., Carson, V., Connor Gorber, S., Dillman, C., Janssen, I., … & Tremblay, M. S. (2012). Systematic review of

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What percentage of children 5-11 are meeting the guidelines for 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity each day? 14% 27% 42% 61% Source: ParticipACTION. (2016). Are Canadian Kids Too Tired to Move? The 2016 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

What percentage of children 5-11 are meeting the guidelines for 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity each day? 14% 27% 42% 61%

Unstructured physical activity Free play Adults do not lead Examples include active outdoor play or working with loose parts materials Source: Pennsylvania State University. (2016). Loose Parts: What does this mean?

Structured physical activity Adult-led Organized activities Examples include soccer practice, dance class or a swimming lesson

Infants: reaching, rolling, grabbing and crawling Toddlers: any activity that gets kids moving Preschoolers: any activity, including  energetic play Kindergarten-aged children: any activity, including  energetic play

A program of Health Nexus Provides information, consultations, resources and training in the areas of preconception, prenatal health and early child development to service providers Funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services Have a Ball Together! project funded by the Lawson Foundation

Understand what physical activity is for children 0-6 Review the guidelines for physical activity and sedentary behaviour Take a look at some of the key research related to physical activity and the early years Explore the benefits of physical activity Learn about physical literacy and why it is so important

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Part One: Understanding the Theory Provides information, consultations, resources and training in the areas of maternal health and early child development to service providers.