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Getting little bodies moving at Little Scholars

Little Scholars
Parents Corner, Early Learning and Development
March 4, 2025

Physical Activity for Children at Little Scholars

Did you know only about a quarter of Australian children aged 0-4 years regularly participate in organised sport and physical activity?

At Little Scholars, we know physical activity for children is vital — not just for health today, but for optimal physical, emotional, and brain development. Early movement builds strong bodies, confident minds, and lifelong healthy habits. The daily recommendation for children each day for physical activity ranges, so here we’ll break it down by age:

Infants (Birth to 12 Months)

Even before they start moving, babies should be active multiple times a day.

This can include:

supervised floor play,
reaching,
grasping for objects,
and at least 30 minutes of tummy time throughout the day while awake.

Once they become mobile, activities like crawling, pulling up on furniture, and eventually walking (if ready) help build strength and coordination. Creating simple obstacle courses can encourage movement in a fun way.

Toddlers (1 to 2 Years)

Toddlers thrive on active play and should have at least three hours of physical activity each day, spread throughout the day. This should include energetic movement like running, jumping, twirling, skipping, and dancing. Playing tips, ball games, or setting up fun obstacle courses at home or in the park are great ways to keep them moving. The focus should be on making activity fun and encouraging exploration.

Preschoolers (3 to 5 Years)

Preschoolers also need at least three hours of activity daily, with at least one hour of energetic play. Running, jumping, throwing, kicking, skipping, and dancing all help develop coordination and strength. Activities should be spread across the day and designed to be enjoyable, encouraging curiosity and movement through play.

At Little Scholars, we’re focused on the holistic growth of the whole child, not just building those rapidly developing brains, but ensuring we’re helping these little bodies grow strong and capable, all while learning valuable skills through play. By encouraging regular movement and active play, we’re helping children develop lifelong healthy habits. Whether it’s running, jumping, climbing, or dancing, every movement helps children grow in confidence and ability. We believe in creating an environment where children can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally through play and learning.

Book a tour at one of our 17 locations across the Gold Coast, Redlands, Brisbane and soon Ipswich to see how we incorporate physical activity into our learning curriculum!

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