Physical Activity

Being physically active and eating a healthy balanced diet are important for not only our physical health, but also our emotional and mental health. 

Early childhood is a period of rapid physical and cognitive development and a time during which a child’s habits are formed and family lifestyle habits are open to changes and adaptations. 

Infants (under 1 year) should be physically active several times every day in a variety of ways. This includes interactive floor-based activities like crawling. Infants who are not yet mobile should have 30 minutes of tummy time. This should be spread throughout the day while they’re awake. 

Toddlers (1 to 2 years) should spend at least 180 minutes (3 hours) per day doing a variety of physical activity. This can be at any intensity and includes active and outdoor play. It should be spread throughout the day. 

Pre-schoolers (3 to 4 years) should spend at least 180 minutes (3 hours) per day doing a variety of activities. These should be spread throughout the day and include active and outdoor play. The 180 minutes should include at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity.  

Find out more about the Physical Activity Guidelines here

Little Feet 

Little Feet is a UK charity which aims to help people be more active by incorporating walking into their lifestyles. Click here for ideas on walking activities for children aged  2-5 years. 

Play Scotland

Play Scotland is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of play in Scotland and share a range of helpful information and resources via their website. View the website by clicking here .

Healthy Schools

The Healthy Schools framework, developed by NHS Lanarkshire, provides a guide for teachers when implementing strategies for health and wellbeing in Schools from Nursery to Senior Phase. Click here to access the resource. 

The following information and resources may be helpful to share with Parents and/or Carers.

Healthier Families

This NHS England website provides a range of useful tips and information for families to help them live healthier more active lives. You can view it here

Little Feet

This is a UK charity which aims to help people be more active by incorporating walking into their lifestyles.  Find out more about walking activities for children aged 2-5 years by clicking here

Parent Club

Parent Club share a range of information on activities and play for children from birth to teenage years. Click here to view.

The Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement Team have pulled together a list of key strategy and policy links regarding Physical Activity and Early Years. These documents should be used to inform planning and delivery within your establishment and school community.

These documents are a useful resource to build a knowledge base around current priorities and work around Oral Health and Physical Activity in Glasgow and across Scotland. Please note that clicking on these documents will take you to external websites.

CMO – Physical Activity Guidelines

Public Health Scotland – A systems based approach to Physical Activity in Scotland

World Health Organisation – Physical Activity for under 5s