The importance of being active
Children need regular, daily physical activity. This activity can be shared with whānau in a fun way.
Kids need regular physical activity
Watch the following video and consider the key messages about the relationship between brain development and physical movement.
Movement
Regular physical activity is essential for brain development.
There are three themes to movement:
- Stability – balance
- Locomotion – walking, running, jumping
- Manipulation – the ability to manipulate an instrument, for example, a bat or a crayon.
To acquire skills, children:
- first make the discovery
- then develop it through practice
- finally master and perform it without needing to think about it.
Active kids need active whānau
Children learn best when they’re having fun. The guideline from the Ministry of Health and Sport New Zealand is that children under 5 should have 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
It doesn’t have to be all at one time – ‘snack-tivities’ are fine (little bits throughout the day).
Pātai atu ki te whānau:
- What do you think of the messages in this video?
- What sort of games, sports and physical activities happen in your whānau?
- Are there things you all do together, tamariki and adults?
- What other things can you do together that will increase your physical activity?
- Which would give you the most enjoyment?
- Would your tamaiti agree?
Helpful resources for whānau
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Ministry of Health: Sit less, move more, sleep well
These guidelines provide population health advice to support health practitioners, early childhood educators, regional sports trusts and others who provide advice to parents, caregivers and whānau or families on physical activity for children under five years of age.
