Healthy Living NT launch new guide to help keep children engaged in physical activity

NT Health and community organisation Healthy Living NT have developed the ‘Let’s Get Going!’ guide with information, lesson plans and activity instructions for Territory parents and carers to encourage young children aged one to five years to get active and move more. 

Only one in five Australian children are meeting the physical activity guidelines. The recommendation is for children aged one to five years to be active for at least three hours a day.

NT Health Top End Region Senior Public Health Dietitian and Nutritionist, Millie Feeney, said there were many benefits for infants and toddlers who engage in regular physical activity.

“Children who exercise frequently develop more confidence and coordination, which will have lasting benefits as they grow into young adults,” Feeney said.  

“Keeping active can also improve a child’s mood, concentration, self-esteem and bone density – as well as help them to sleep better.”

Healthy Living NT Education Manager, Chrissie Inglis, said the guide was an easy tool for parents to help develop their child’s gross and fine motor skills, while having lots of fun.

“Teaching children to engage in physical activity when they are young is a gift that will last a lifetime,” Inglis said.

“Supporting children to be active will increase the likelihood they continue to enjoy exercise through all stages of life, which we know is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

Darwin mum, Ella Leonhardt, said the guide was a wonderful resource she had used to help two of her young children, Jess, three, and Chris, five, exercise more.

Leonhardt shared “my kids love playing with a ball, so we now carry one with us when we’re out and about. They see if they can throw, roll, kick it to each other 10 times in a row. They get excited when they reach this goal, so we then try for 20.

“Another favourite activity is playing leapfrog. We collect leaves, sticks and flowers and then the kids try jumping like a frog between them – or they run and follow the leader.”

Leonhardt said these games were all great to play at a park, but also worked well at home, even with their small backyard.

“The guide is suitable for multiple ages which is perfect given my children are at different stages of development. I also have a six-month old daughter, Sophie, and am looking forward to seeing her start to be active with her siblings in the coming months,” she said.

The Let’s Get Going guide is now available to download for free from the NT Health nutrition and physical activity webpage.

Image: Chris Leonhardt, 5, from Darwin, has been getting more exercise with his mum using a new guide for parents on helping kids exercise more.