With today’s life styles most young kids are not moving enough. Yet the early years are critical, both for

children’s physical and psychological growth and for developing lifelong healthy behaviours. More and

more countries are developing physical activity guidelines for young children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and leading health and fitness organization all agree that children

over the age of 2 need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day for good

health. Children can accomplish this goal by being active for 10 minutes, 6 times a day, 15 minutes 4

times a day, or any combination that equals 60 minutes a day.

Here are some milestones for children age 3, 4 and 5 year olds.

Milestones for 3 year olds:

• Change speed and direction at a signal Run on tip toes
• Throw object without losing balance Walk straight line on low balance beam
• Hop briefly Gallop
• Catch a large or bounced ball with both arms extended Use alternate feet on stairs
• Do forward somersault

Milestones for 4 year olds:

• Start, stop, turn & move easily around things Hop on non-dominant foot
• Throw with basic over arm movement Jump over 5 – 6 inches high
• Bounce a ball Skip on one side only
• Catch by trapping ball to chest Go down stairs on alternate feet
• Lift using proper form: straight back, head up, legs doing the work

Milestones for 5 year olds:

• Slide
• Skip using alternate feet
• Catch a thrown ball

Here are some examples of energetic activities for children:

• Active play such as hide and seek or stuck in the mud
• Running around Skipping rope
• Jumping on a trampoline Climbing
• Riding a bike Swimming
• Dancing Gymnastics

Energetic activity for children will make kids “huff and puff” and can include organised

activities, such as dance and gymnastics. Any sort of active play will usually include bursts of

energentic activity.

Many of these activities are included in our Forever Kids portion of the Baby Power Forever

Kids programs. We do not insist that all children must follow all the recommended

guidelines. There are some children that will never do a somersault and that is OK as long as

they get their physical activity in other ways. Raising a child’s self image as well as their

enjoying physical activity is so important-AS WELL AS HAVING FUN !!!!