0-5 years
You're never too young to start getting active!
Movement in the early years is vital for your child's physical development. It enhances their social, emotional and intellectual growth.
With your help and support, you and your child can have fun while building the foundations for a healthy future - for both of you. It's easy to be a Push Play Parent - so get your skates on, and let's Push Play!
Activity ideas
- From zero to hero, your newborn has a lot to learn. Simple activities, like massaging your infant, teach them body awareness and develop their tactile senses - as well as being nurturing and relaxing.
- Lying on the floor with your child can count as being physically active too! Short amounts of tummy time for your newborn or infant help develop muscle tone in their arms, hands and fingers, upper body and neck.
- We all love to boogie, and your infant is no exception. A little dance session with your tot helps with their spatial awareness, balance and eye tracking. And let's not forget, it'll help them be a hit on the dance floor during those tricky teenage years!
- Kids can be animals! Crawl around the floor pretending to be different creatures. Don't forget the noises… grrrrrr! Add some music to the game, and they're well on their way to improving their imagination, hand-eye coordination and muscle tone.
- When toddlers spin around and around they learn balance, and develop their eye muscles. So get out that office swivel chair, sit them on your lap and turn slowly this way and that. This is a great one for the grandparents to do too.
- In the house or out in the garden, wheelbarrow walking your toddler around heightens the tactile sense in their hands, builds awareness of the environment and strengthens their upper torso - and it's fun too!
- While you're walking along the footpath, throw out the challenge to see who can get the furthest without stepping on a crack. It'll increase coordination, balance and concentration - and anyway, who wants to marry a rat?
- Racing sticks down a stream is an easy and fun outdoor activity, and will get the little ones' hearts racing and legs pumping as they follow the action. (Remember: for activities around water, your child should be in sight and reach the whole time, so you better keep up - and don't forget to slip, slop, slap in the sun.)
- Children's classic songs are classics for a reason - so sing and move along to some of the favourites like 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes', 'Incy, Wincy Spider' and 'The Wheels on the Bus'. It will improve your children's rhythm, hand-eye coordination and concentration.
- A simple balloon can do wonders for your child's development. Just batting a balloon in the air can boost their skill levels in coordination and concentration, as well as strengthening their eye muscles.
- Hanging out the washing helps your child develop new skills - while they help you! Using the peg action develops their pincer grip - important for holding a pencil. It'll also improve their motor skills and balance. Just make sure they're on a steady chair, and there are no grey clouds looming!
Remember: moving and taking part is good for the mind, soul and heart - so activities should be fun, positive and safe.
More info and resources
Check out SPARC's Active Movement brochures for more ideas.
Our 0-5 Useful links page lists heaps of organisations that can help you with more information and resources.
You could contact your local regional sports trust on 0800 ACTIVE.
Why not visit your local toy library for a selection of active toys?
If you or your child have a disability, visit the Halberg Trust website to find out who your local sport opportunity advisor is and how they can help.
