Plenty of varied physical activity, limit sedentary behaviour

The Health Council advises using the physical activity recommendations for young children from the World Health Organization (WHO) for children aged 0 to 4. The overarching message of these recommendations is: let children be physically active in plenty of varied ways, and limit prolonged sedentary behaviour. You can find specific recommendations for each age group in the infographic.

Useful tips for practice

To find out whether these physical activity recommendations were sufficiently aligned with practice, several discussions were held with professionals in the field, including paediatric physiotherapists, childcare workers, youth healthcare professionals and community sports coaches. Research by the Mulier Institute was also included in the further development of the infographic. In addition to the specific recommendations, the infographic now also contains more practical tips for putting the recommendations into practice. How do you apply them in youth healthcare or childcare? And how do you discuss the physical activity behaviour of young children with colleagues, or with parents and carers? The infographic can help you get started.

Structure of the infographic

On the first page, the physical activity recommendations are divided into the categories under 1 year, from 1 year, from 2 years and from 3 years. Each category addresses physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Example activities are also provided.

The second page contains four tips for childcare:

  • Make physical activity part of the day
  • Provide challenge and variety, and encourage motor development
  • Enjoy playing outdoors!
  • Include physical activity in organisational policy

The second page also contains tips for discussing the importance of physical activity:

  • Inform parents about physical activity
  • Encourage physical activity in the waiting room
  • Give parents tips for encouraging physical activity in their child
  • Work together in the neighbourhood

Source: Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity.