Physical activity encompasses more than just exercise; it involves a lifestyle that includes our environment, supports, and resources to keep us moving. Public Health aims to encourage communities to provide active and safe spaces for play, living, work, and school. Recognizing the challenges people and communities face in becoming more active, we strive to create opportunities for everyone to improve their health. By focusing on populations facing inequities and affected by social determinants of health, such as children, young women, newcomers, and those with lower incomes, we aim to make these opportunities more equitable.
In Grey and Bruce counties, a higher proportion of residents are less active than the provincial average, with only 35% of children aged 5 to 17 meeting the physical activity recommendations of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (Participation 2018). These guidelines recommend that children aged 3 to 12 achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day to support health, including psychosocial and mental health, motor skill development, and stronger immune systems.
School-aged children typically explore various forms of movement through activities such as sports, outdoor play, and interactive play with others. Participation in these activities is vital for their development, as engagement in sport and unstructured play leads to higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which is associated with numerous health benefits
From March 2020 to January 2021, the pandemic significantly disrupted access to typical physical activity-supporting environments and programs for many children and their families, creating numerous barriers to ensuring children remained sufficiently active each day. Recognizing the pandemic's impact on children's activity levels highlights the importance of supporting their health and development in our communities.
The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
In 2016, the world’s first 24-Hour Movement Guidelines were developed, a set of evidence based guidelines integrating physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. It provides guidance on how much people need to move, sleep and sit each day and the interrelationship between the three.
Although young children can be busy that doesn’t necessarily mean they are being active. Many children and young adults are not getting enough physical activity, and spending too much time on screens, which has a greater impact on those under five years of age.
Jake Earnst – Parenting in the Digital Age June 2024
Today's parents are faced with an unprecedented challenge: to parent and raise their kids in the age of the internet. Many of today’s kids are constantly online and many parents are growing concerned about the impact this is having on kids and their wellbeing. In this session, we’ll talk about the number one factor that impacts whether or not kids get hooked by their device, what apps and websites parents should know about, how to avoid common digital parenting mistakes, and how to strike a balance between digital safety and digital freedom. Participants will come away with tips and tools for raising resilient and responsible kids in the age of the internet.
Jake Ernst, MSW RSW is a social worker, psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and Clinical Director at his group practice clinic, Straight Up Health in Toronto, Canada.
Guidelines
MOST ADULTS THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO LIMIT CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME TO THE RECOMMENDED ≤ 2 H/DAY BUT FEW ADULTS THEMSELVES ADHERE TO THIS SCREEN TIME LIMIT
RESOURCES:
Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines – All ages
Caring for Kids, Canadian Paediatric Society – information, posters, booklets and tips for young children
Childcare Providers Toolkit (Michigan)
Getting enough sleep is not a luxury, it is something everyone needs for good health. Not getting enough sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, injuries (such as motor vehicle accidents) and depression.
Recommended Hours of Sleep by Age
Age
Hours of Sleep per Night
Infants (0 - 3 months)
14 to 17 hours of good-quality sleep, including naps
Infants (4 – 11 months)
12 to 16 hours of good-quality sleep, including naps
Toddlers (1 – 2 years)
11 to 14 hours of good-quality sleep, including naps
Preschoolers (3 – 4 years)
10 to 14 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times
School-aged (5 – 13 years)
9-11 hours per night with consistent bed and wake-up times
Adolescents (14-17 years)
8-10 hours per night with consistent bed and wake-up times
Adults (18 – 64 years)
7-9 hours per night
Older Adults (65+ years)
7-8 hours per night
*Hours of Sleep are based on recommendations from the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and Children and Youth. Adult and Older Adult hours of sleep are based on recommendations from the National Foundation of Sleep and the Adult 24-Hour Movement Guidelines released in 2021
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