Playing helps kids

• Grow healthy bones and strong muscles
• Improve balance
• Learn how to take turns and share

1 to 5 year olds need to be active for at least 3 hours every day.

Kids should be free to be active when they are awake – try not to leave them in a stroller, high chair or car seat for more than 1 hour at a time.

Some things kids like to do:

• tumble, run, hop and jump
• dance to music
• build things
• play dress-ups
• pretend to be animals or super heroes
• play organised games like ‘hide and seek’
• explore or go bush

Play outside as often as possible – it is important for all kids to play outside

They can:

• have space to play together
• make big movements
• get fresh air
• make a lot of noise
• play in nature – run through grass, roll down hills, go exploring

Kids don’t need expensive toys to play

Kids can play with boxes, old clothes, wooden blocks, baskets, cushions, mats, pots and pans, balls, pegs, buckets, leaves, branches and old furniture.

Objects for play need to be safe and clean

 

Get moving

Show kids how to:

• jump, hop, run, skip
• build with boxes and blocks
• dance to music
• hit and throw balls and balloons
• balance on planks of wood or a rope placed on the ground
• dig and help to grow veggies and fruit
• climb on pillows, boxes or climbing frames

Playing indoors is good too – kids can:

• listen to stories and tell stories
• dance to music
• draw and paint
• play games and do puzzles
• read picture books

Importantly: Turn off the TV

• It is recommended that kids under 2 should not watch TV or DVDs
• Kids 2 to 5 should not watch more than 1 hour of TV or DVDs a day
• If kids stay up at night they miss out on sleep
• Watching too much TV may be linked with delays in language skills

Keep our kids safe

Playing should be fun – watch kids at all times to make sure they are safe

• Always look out for kids around water, cars, animals or fireplaces
• Keep an eye on kids when playing, especially when they are climbing, balancing or playing near steps
• Give kids plenty of water to drink, especially in warm weather
• Too much sun can make kids sick. When outside, use sunscreen and hats and play in the shade

Remember you can always seek help

• Talk with other parents
• Talk to your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse
• Talk to your childcare educator
• Visit or start a playgroup

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