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Active Start: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five Years
NASPE position statement: All children birth to age five should
engage in daily physical activity that promotes health-related fitness and movement
skills.
Purpose of the Guidelines
Specific guidelines for the physical activity of children birth to five years
old were developed to support NASPE’s position statement and to address
the unique characteristics and needs of the developing child. The guidelines
reflect the best thinking of motor development, movement, and exercise physiology
specialists about the physical activity needs of young children during the first
years of life.
Organization of Guidelines
Five guidelines are listed for each of three age categories: infants (birth
to 12 months old), toddlers (12 to 36 months old), and preschoolers (ages 3
to 5 years). The guidelines answer questions about kinds of physical activity,
the environment for the physical activity, and the individuals responsible for
facilitating the physical activity.
Explanations and discussion of typical activities accompany the listing of
the guidelines. Also included is a Frequently Asked Questions section, a glossary
of terms, and a comprehensive list of background resources.
Guidelines
| Guidelines for Infants: |
| Guideline 1. |
Infants should interact with parents and/or caregivers in
daily physical activities that are dedicated to promoting the exploration
of their environment. |
| Guideline 2. |
Infants should be placed in safe settings that facilitate physical activity
and do not restrict movement for prolonged periods of time. |
| Guideline 3. |
Infants’ physical activity should promote the development of movement
skills. |
| Guideline 4. |
Infants should have an environment that meets or exceeds recommended safety standards
for performing large muscle activities. |
| Guideline 5. |
Individuals responsible for the well-being of infants should be aware
of the importance of physical activity and facilitate the child’s
movement skills. |
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| Guidelines for Toddlers: |
| Guideline 1. |
Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes daily of structured physical
activity. |
| Guideline 2. |
Toddlers should engage in at least 60 minutes and up to several hours
per day of daily, unstructured physical activity and should not be sedentary
for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping. |
| Guideline 3. |
Toddlers should develop movement skills that are building blocks for
more complex movement tasks. |
| Guideline 4. |
Toddlers should have indoor and outdoor areas that meet or exceed recommended
safety standards for performing large muscle activities. |
| Guideline 5. |
Individuals responsible for the well-being of toddlers should be aware
of the importance of physical activity and facilitate the child’s
movement skills. |
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| Guidelines for Preschoolers: |
| Guideline 1. |
Preschoolers should accumulate at least 60 minutes daily of structured
physical activity. |
| Guideline 2. |
Preschoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes and up to several
hours of daily, unstructured physical activity and should not be sedentary
for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping. |
| Guideline 3. |
Preschoolers should develop competence in movement skills that are building
blocks for more complex movement tasks. |
| Guideline 4. |
Preschoolers should have indoor and outdoor areas that meet or exceed
recommended safety standards for performing large muscle activities. |
| Guideline 5. |
Individuals responsible for the well-being of preschoolers should be
aware of the importance of physical activity and facilitate the child’s
movement skills. |
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