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Getting active with babies and toddlers

Roll, crawl, walk and run.

To lay the foundation for a healthy, active life your child needs to be active everyday from a young age.

Smiling mother holding two toddlers in her arms

For parents and carers it is not always easy to know the type of movement and how active children should be every day.

"Every baby is unique," says Brisbane children's physiotherapist Sandie Downes. "There are often subtle or even major differences in the way different children develop".

"Babies learn to lift and hold their heads up, roll over, sit up, crawl and so on, but it may not be at the same age or in exactly the same way," says Sandie.

Movement skills do not necessarily develop just because your child grows older. Children develop by being active and using large and small muscles everyday. You can encourage this by giving a variety of play positions such as tummy time, lying on the back or side and supported sitting.

When a child is learning a new skill like rolling or pulling up to stand, you will often see them repeat it over and over. Allowing your child plenty of time to practise is important as success builds confidence.

Activities such as walking, climbing, balancing and catching will benefit children by improving their general health and increasing their confidence, concentration and happiness.

Sport and Recreation Queensland has produced three booklets to help parents and carers to be active with children. These are:

Move Baby Move � for babies to 14 months of age
Active Alphabet � for toddlers from 15 months to three years of age
Let's Get Moving — for pre-school children from three to six years of age.

Melinda Forrest, a parent from Springfield in Queensland, says the booklets really help her to get active with her daughter, Jessie.

"The materials were a real confidence booster because they explain what to do simply and clearly with lots of handy illustrations," says Melinda.

Move baby move

Getting active has a different meaning for children of different ages.

For a new-born baby it is as basic as moving an arm or leg. However, there are some important points to note before helping your baby move.

Let your baby play on her tummy every day to help develop head control, vision and a strong back.
Place your baby on a large mat to play safely.
Allow time for your baby to explore the world independently.
Your baby's head is heavy and his neck muscles are weak so support and protect his head and neck until he develops better control.
Make time every day to take your baby outside. Be sure to protect her from biting insects, direct sunlight and strong wind.
Trust yourself to know your baby’s needs and wants. If your baby is unhappy with an activity, try it again another time.

Here are some activities you can do with your baby as he grows and learns.

Birth–4 months

Dance, sing and sway in time to music with your baby.
Take your baby for a walk in a pram.
Use a baby hammock for a gentle swaying movement.
Let your baby lie on her tummy as well as on her side and back.

4–8 months

Roll a soft ball to your baby, showing him how to stop it and push it back.
Play a gentle 'tug-of-war' with a soft toy.
Closely supervise your baby while he kicks in a wading pool or sandpit.
Lie or sit your baby on your knees and gently bounce your baby up and down. You may like to sing a song as you bounce.

8–14 months

Help your baby crawl up a pile of cushions and roll down the other side.
Crawl after your baby and encourage him to chase after you. You may like to roll a ball along the floor that you can both chase.
Help your baby use her fingers and other body parts to act out rhymes.
As your baby's balance improves, sit her on a ride-on car and push her along.

Active alphabet

Toddlers are, by nature, more active than babies and this means you will be able to be more active together. It is important that you are a positive, active role model for your toddler.

Sport and Recreation Queensland's Active Alphabet booklet presents some terrific suggestions for having active fun with your children. Activities, including action songs, poems and games, are themed around letters of the alphabet and help toddlers develop active movement skills.

Why not try some Active Alphabet activities?

I want to Follow that fancy flamingo

There are lots of following games you can play that are not only lots of fun but can make everyday routines easier and lead to lots of interesting movements.
You could follow the leader, the drum or a piece of tape.
You may like to go for a family walk.

I'm Upside down too, like an umbrella cockatoo

Being upside down is the sort of activity that eventually develops into rolling and handstands. This helps develop balance, but make sure you stay close to your child as they try this.
Practise climbing up and down on a chair.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bend your knees, bend at the waist and drop the top half of your body down to have a good look at an upside down world.

I can Nod my head but not in bed with a nibbly newt!

Action songs and rhymes encourage lots of movement. Try nodding your head to:

If you're happy and you know it
Nod your head

If you're happy and you know it

Nod your head

If you're happy and you know it

Then you really ought to show it

If you're happy and you know it

Nod your head!

Further information

For more information or to view the booklets:

Website:: http://www.sportrec.qld.gov.au