Physical activity for children under 5 years during COVID-19: Play your way and keep moving while at home

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and for many parents of children under-5, life at home may be upside down, giving new meaning to the word ‘chaos’. Without childcare and facilities for under-5s, parents may feel overwhelmed, whether they were stay-at-home or working parents pre-COVID-19. Watching TV or playing on a tablet may be helpful solutions to entertain a restless toddler (1-2y) or pre-schooler (3-4y), but can mean that they keep still for longer than normal. The benefits of physical activity for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are well-described in the UK Physical Activity Guidelines. It is also important to try to make sure that our little ones spend minimal time sitting still, and get enough sleep. For 0-5s, the WHO has published guidance for being physically active, limiting sedentary behaviour, and getting good quality sleep in a 24-hour day. In this blog, we focus on the importance of keeping 0-5s physically active, despite the challenges of COVID-19. We deliberately focus on being inside; although if guidelines allow, getting outside is also beneficial.