How much sedentary screen time is ok for children under 5-year-olds?

The lack of physical activity is a high-risk factor in terms of health. Physical inactivity is connected to global mortality rates and overweight.

In early childhood, children learn and develop rapidly. Early childhood is a period during which children form their lifestyle habits. A child's day is filled with many different types of activities, and the most important thing is that all those different aspects are in balance: eating habits, physical activity, time of sitting/restraint, screen time, rest, and sleep.

World Health Organization (WHO)has made a guide (Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age) that helps parents as well as early childhood professionals to implement little children's days properly between different actions. The guide is for children under 5 years of age. The guide aims to give guidance how many hours per day children should spend being physically active or sleeping for their health and well-being, and the maximum recommended time these children should spend on screen-based sedentary activities or time sitting/restrained.

How to support children's mental health?

Recommendations at a glance by WHO:

Infants (less than 1 year) should:

• Be physically active many times a day in many different ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play - the more the better.
• For those not mobile yet, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake.
• Not be sitting/restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. pram/stroller, high chair, car seat, baby carrier). Screen time is 0 hours as it is not recommended. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
• Have 12–17 hours of good quality sleep, including naps.

 

Children 1-2 years of age should:

• Spend at least 3 hours in physical activities (a variety of types), spread throughout the day - the more the better.
• Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. pram/stroller, high chair, car seat, baby carrier) or sit for extended periods of time.
• For 1-year-olds, screen time of 0 hours is not recommended (such as watching TV or videos or playing computer games). For 2-year-olds, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sitting down/sedentary, engaging in reading, storytelling, and interaction with a caregiver is encouraged.
• Have 11-14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times.

 

Children 3-4 years of age should:

• Spend at least 3 hours in physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day - the more the better.
   
• Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. pram/stroller) or sit for long periods of time. Sedentary screen time is no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sitting down, engaging in reading, interaction storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
   
• Have 10–13h of good quality sleep, which may include a nap, with regular sleep and wake-up times.

As such, these guidelines do not take into account for example quiet and calm play - which is an important part of a small child's day. The main aim of this guide is to contribute to recommendations specifically on physical activity, sedentary screen time and time spent restrained/sitting, and good quality sleep.

Read the full guide from here: Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age

Happy moving!