Introduce
Early childhood is a period of rapid physical and cognitive development, during which a child’s habits are formed and family lifestyles are open to changes and adaptations.
Improving the physical activity, sedentary and sleep time behaviours of young children will contribute to their physical health, reducing the risk of developing obesity in childhood and improving mental health and wellbeing.
A healthy childhood includes regular physical activity, proper nutrition, emotional support, adequate sleep and opportunities for social interaction and play. A maturing brain and nervous system, growing bones and muscles, exercise and physical activity all play an important role in increasing control and coordination.
Young children today tend to be more sedentary. This is largely due to increased screen time, reduced outdoor play, and more structured schedules. This shift towards a more sedentary lifestyle has significant implications for their physical development. It can lead to issues like obesity, delayed motor skill development, and poor cardiovascular health. Additionally, less physical activity can negatively impact cognitive development, social skills, and emotional wellbeing, making it crucial to encourage more active play and movement during these formative years.
Image source: Youth Sports Trust
Develop
To grow and develop optimally, children need adequate nutrition, they need to be healthy, they must feel safe and secure, and have opportunities for learning starting from birth. Ensuring these elements is defined as “nurturing care”.
World Health Organisation
Some parents may not fully understand what constitutes a healthy childhood and may need input and support to explore this further. A healthy childhood involves more than just meeting the basic needs of a baby or child.
Below, you will find the Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for children under 5 years old. There have been developed by the World Health Organisation. The overall goals of these guidelines are to provide recommendations on the amount of time in a 24-hour day that young children, under 5 years of age, should spend being physically active or sleeping for their health and wellbeing, and the maximum recommended time these children should spend on screen-based sedentary activities or time restrained.
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: These reflective questions provide a starting point for evaluating and improving practices that promote a healthy, balanced childhood:
– How do you currently assess parents’ understanding of what a healthy childhood entails?
– In what ways can you respond to parents’ concerns or misconceptions about nutrition, physical activity and sleep?
– How can you encourage children to listen to their bodies, understand their physical needs, and develop self-care habits from an early age?
– What activities or routines are in place to model healthy habits?