Active Child – Movement is Life

Children and young people should take part in appropriate physical activity every day and should minimise the amount of time spent sitting for long periods of time.

To maintain a basic level of health, children and young people aged 5 to 18 need to do…

• At least 1 hour of physical activity each day. This could be playing tag with friends, walk/cycle/scoot to school, helping with some household chores or sports such as gymnastics or tennis.30 minutes of their daily target can and should be achieved at school.

Research suggests that children and young people who are active are more likely to have better academic performance and confidence at school.

AND

• At least 3 days a week of exercises for strength and balance for their muscles and bones, such as skipping, hopping and swinging on playground equipment.

Top Tips and ideas to help children and young people move a little more:

• Break it up. Daily activities can be made up of 10 minute sessions.
• Reduce screen time. Instead of watching TV/tablet, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends.
• Let them help choose. Children are more likely to participate in something if they're involved in picking it too.
• Lead by example. If parents are physically active, their children are likely to be active too.

10 minutes – Play a game with friends; hide and seek, tag, hopscotch, skipping, put some music on and have an indoor disco...

20 minutes – Walk/cycle/scoot to school, build a den outside, help with some household chores, make an obstacle course and have races, download and use an activity app...

30+ minutes – Go to the park with friends or family, go for a bike ride or swimming, use an outdoor gym, join a junior parkrun, play a game with siblings...

By ensuring children and young people are physically active, the more health benefits they get, including:

• Improved attention levels at school
• Develops coordination
• Strengthens muscles and bones
• Maintains a healthy weight
• Sleep better zzz
• Improved mood and feel good

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport and a range of health and wellbeing organisations, are working together to help us all, move a little more.

To make your move, visit www.llrmakeyourmove.org or follow #LLRMakeyourMove