Physical Activity (Early Years)
Physical activity is important for a child’s development and lays the foundations for a healthy and active life. The benefits include healthy growth and development, maintaining a healthy weight, improving strength, coordination, balance and concentration, and developing confidence, self-esteem and social skills. Early years settings can provide vital opportunities for children to be physically active and also encourage families to engage in regular physical activity.
Chief Medical Officer's Guidelines (2019) for physical activity in early years
This infographic summarises the current guidance for early years. It can be used as a poster to help promote physical activity in your setting.
| Chief Medical Officer's Guidelines (2019) for physical activity in Early Years Report | The full report has more in depth ideas and information. |
| WHO_Guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 yrs of age | World Health Organisation guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age |
| Ideas for activities and resources to use in your setting. | |
| A document from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) that gives a range of options to support children's activity levels and encourage adult participation. | |
| School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences- Loughborough University
| This website contains information including; latest physical activity guidelines, factsheets, case studies, evidence briefings, practical resources (some payable) and training opportunities. |
| A range of resources to support early years professionals with physical activity, includes fact sheets, top tips and practical ideas, parent leaflets and videos. | |
| Classroom physical activity resources - informed by research and developed by teachers | |
| Tips for lots of great ideas for getting the children in your setting more active |
Active Travel
Research shows that active travel to school makes children more alert and ready to face the day than if they had arrived in a car. There are many ways to support and encourage children and their families to think about making their journey more active. Below are some resources that can help.
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Events, posters, and information about the Junior Road Safety Officers scheme for schools in South Yorkshire.
Including videos and lesson plans to help teach children the importance of road safety.
Downloads & Resources
- Physical activity toolkit Compressed
- Download (4.13MB - PDF)
- 3x Early Years Infographics P3 final
- Download (190KB - PDF)