Happy Healthy Kids

There are lots of health promotion schemes going on at any one time and it can be difficult to decide which one is the most important for your child. As every child is different and every family situation is different it is best not to try to change too much all at once.

Decide on one area that you want to try and change or make a difference in. Find out information relating to your situation and pick one goal and try and practice it over a two week to one month period and check if it has made a difference. If there is a difference then continue to keep practising it. You may then want to introduce something new at this stage.

Try to change one thing at a time then you and our child are more likely to succeed at it.

Physical activity for early years (birth – 5 years)

Active children are healthy, happy, school ready and sleep better

Physical Activity:

• builds relationships and social skills
• maintains health and weight
• contributes to brain development and learning
• improves sleep
• develops muscles and bones
• encourages movement and coordination

Every movement counts

• Aim for at least 180 minutes per day for children 1-5 years
  
• At least 30 minutes across the day for under 1s

Physical activity such as:

• playground
• jump
• climb
• messy play
• throw/catch
• skip
• object play
• dance
• games
• play
• swim
• walk
• scoot
• bike
• tummy time(under 1)

Get Strong. Move More. Break up inactivity.

Physical activity for children and young people (5-18 years)

Physical activity:

• builds confidence and social skills
• maintains healthy weight
• develops co-ordination
• Strengthens muscles and bones
• improves sleep
• improves concentration and learning
• improves health and fitness
• makes you feel good

Be physically active

• Aim for an average of at least 60 minutes per day across the week
  Spread activity throughout the day

All activities should make you breathe faster and feel warmer such as:

• play
• run/walk
• bike
• active travel
• swim
• skate
• sport
• PE
• skip
• climb
• workout
• dance

Get strong move more.

Active Fun For Everyone – Improving activity in children and young people with physical disabilities – pdf