How much activity?
What is active play?
Why is active play so important?
Active play is essential for all children.
The National Physical Activity
Recommendations for children are that
toddlers (1 to 3 years) and preschoolers
(3 to 5 years) should be physically
active every day for at least three
hours, spread throughout the day.
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Physical activity is vital for a child’s development and lays the foundation for a healthy and
active life. And when it comes to kids, the best form of physical activity is play!
Both indoor and outdoor active play experiences are important for a child’s development
and should always be supervised by a parent or carer. It is good for children to participate
in structured and unstructured play, in both indoor and outdoor settings, every day. These
settings should be safe and inviting environments and any equipment or materials used
should also be safe, durable and appropriate for the age, ability and cultural background of
the child or children.
