Ideas for the Home Learning Grid: Physical Activity
The Australian Government has recently developed Physical Activity
Recommendations for Children and Young People. These are that:
1. Children and young people should participate in at least 60 minutes (and up to
several hours) of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day.
2. Children and young people should not spend more than 2 hours a day using
electronic media for entertainment (eg computer games, Internet, TV),
particularly during daylight hours.
Many leisure activities that are currently popular with children, such as watching television and
playing computer games, involve very little physical activity. Many children are now also driven
to school or other places rather than walking or cycling. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition
are modifiable risk factors for overweight and obesity in both children and adults. However,
about one in every five children is now overweight or obese in Australia. These children often
experience a range of health problems while childhood obesity is known to be a good predictor
of obesity in adulthood, which in itself is a major risk factor for poor health.
(From http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-
active-recommend.htm, accessed 7 March 2006)
Physical activity is essential for the healthy development of all children. With childhood obesity
at critical levels it is important the children have opportunities to run and play in fresh air.
Some physical activities that your child could be involved in include:
Skateboarding, skating and pushing a scooter
Family games and outdoor activities eg. Frisbees, throwing and catching.
Trampolining, jumping rope, running, ball games
Martial Arts training
Riding a bike at a park, on a bike track or in the back yard
Completing an obstacle course, orienteering or bush walking
A backyard game of cricket
Walking the family dog
Hide and seek in the back yard
Organised sports practice and games- tennis, AFL, football, soccer, basketball,
hockey, netball, etc.
Swimming lessons, swimming club or even a run under the sprinkler
Gymnastics or athletics
Dance lessons and dance practise
Scouts or Guides
Camping
Going to the park and playing on the equipment
For more ideas for how to encourage your child to be more physically active, visit the
following excellent websites:
Get Moving http://www.healthyactive.gov.au/getmoving/index.htm
Life Be In It! http://www.lifebeinit.com.au/
Jump Rope For Heart http://www.heartfoundation.com.au/index.cfm?page=31