Play, screen time and sleep for 0-5 year-olds

By Therapy Focus

The time from birth to five years old is one of rapid physical and cognitive development. It is also a time during which a child’s habits are formed, and family lifestyle routines are evolving.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released its recommended play, screen time and sleep guidelines for 0-5 year-olds. These guidelines are relevant for all children under 5 years of age, irrespective of gender, cultural background or socio-economic status of families.

However, it is important to note that caregivers of children with a disability or those with a medical condition would be best to seek extra guidance from a health professional.

WHO’s recommendations are as follows:

Physical activity recommendations for 0-5-year-olds:

Infants (less than 1 year) should:

Be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, mainly through interactive floor-based play (more is better)
For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in the prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake.

Children 1-2 years of age should:

Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day (more is better)

Children 3-4 years of age should:

Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day (more is better)

Sedentary time recommendations for 0-5-year-olds

Infants (less than 1 year) should:

Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, highchairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back)
Screen time is not recommended.
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.

Children 1-2 years of age should:

Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, highchairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods.
For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour (less is better)
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.

Children 3-4 years of age should:

Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers) or sit for extended periods.
Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour (less is better)
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.

Sleep time recommendations for 0-5-year-olds

Infants (less than 1 year) should:

Have 14-17 hours (0-3 months of age) or 12-16 hours (4-11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps

Children 1-2 years of age should:

Have 11-14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times

Children 3-4 years of age should:

Have 10-13 hours of good quality sleep, which may include a nap, with regular sleep and wake-up times

You can read WHO’s full 36-page report here.

At Therapy Focus, our Physiotherapists can support children and families to ensure they are getting enough exercise and meeting physical activity recommendations.