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I am so happy that the new guidelines for preschool movement have been released! In my two decades of working with young children (from my own five to thousands through community work and research) if there is one secret that I have learned it is the importance of healthy SLEEP HABITS. The connection between sleep habits and overall health and development is often overlooked. My many years of experience in the field has taught me a valuable lesson about how sleep can have a huge impact on a child’s overall health and wellness. That is why I am so happy that this connection is being highlighted through the new movement guidelines for preschoolers. A child who has the proper amount and quality of sleep will have a greater ability to focus during the day, more energy to move and play, and will display greater emotional resiliency. Not to mention if a child has a proper bed time, their parents are also usually well rested which greatly improves the parent child relationship.
So what do the new Canadian Movement guidelines for preschoolers suggest?
Infants < 1yr
12 to 17 hrs of good-quality sleep, including naps.
A variety of interactive floor-based play including at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day.
Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high chair). No screen time. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
Toddlers 1-2 yrs
11 to 14 hours of good-quality sleep, including naps, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
At least 180 min in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including energetic play, spread throughout the day—more is better.
Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or high chair) or sitting for extended periods. No screen time for those younger than 2 years. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour—less is better. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
Preschoolers 3-4 yrs
10 to 13 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
At least 180 minutes spent in a variety of physical activities spread throughout the day, of which at least 60 minutes is energetic play—more is better
Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., in a stroller or car seat) or sitting for extended periods. Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour—less is better. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
Visit Participaction to find the complete guidelines here
In light of the new guidelines we will be publishing a series of “Sleep Tips” posts. This series will help parents and caregivers to improve the quality of sleep that their young children are getting, cause let’s be honest who couldn’t use a little more sleep?