Focus on Families Active Play
Active Play
Working together with Merseyside Sport Partnership, NHS Sefton have devised some helpful 'Active Play' guidelines which follow the principles of start4life and have one clear aim – to create a ‘movement’ to promote physical activity behaviour through active play in children aged 0-5 years.
Active Play extends play so that it becomes more physically active.
To know when your child is physically active, think POW:
P = Pulse
O = Out of breath (but still able to talk)
W = Warm
Physical activity is any body movement of the muscles that requires energy and therefore increases a person’s heart rate and breathing. This principle applies to any age group. Examples can include walking or dancing, it doesn’t have to be structured or cost money it just has to be POW!
Active Play can extend play to incorporate POW, so simple changes to an activity could be standing up instead of sitting down or running around periodically.
It is a child’s job and joy to be active all day! There is no other time in life that a person can learn so many physical skills.
Check back soon for a brand new, free iPhone and Android app designed especially for parents of children 0-5 who wish to engage their own children in Active Play! We will also be launching a Web site devoted entirely to Active Play.
Downloads
Department of Health Activity Guidelines
