General information only. This Parent Resource summarizes WHO’s population-level guideline for children younger than 5 years.

What does WHO’s under-5 movement guideline cover?

WHO’s guideline addresses three connected behaviours across a 24-hour day: physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. It was developed for children younger than 5 years and provides age-specific population-level recommendations.

Why does WHO consider the whole 24-hour day?

WHO explains that time in a day is finite, so increasing one behaviour changes time available for others. The guideline therefore considers how active play, sedentary time and sleep fit together rather than treating them as unrelated topics.

What is the broad message about physical activity?

WHO’s public summary emphasizes more opportunities for active play and physical activity across the day, with recommendations becoming more specific as children grow from infancy through preschool age.

What does WHO say about prolonged sedentary time?

WHO recommends reducing prolonged sedentary time and limiting time restrained in equipment such as prams or seats. When children are sedentary, WHO encourages interactive non-screen activities with a caregiver, such as reading, storytelling, singing and puzzles.

How does sleep fit into the guideline?

WHO includes good-quality sleep as a core part of the 24-hour framework and provides age-specific recommended sleep ranges. The guideline treats adequate sleep as part of healthy daily movement behaviour rather than as an isolated lifestyle issue.

Is this the same as an individual exercise or sleep plan?

No. WHO’s recommendations are public-health guidance for age groups. They do not diagnose sleep disorders, developmental conditions or physical limitations and do not account for an individual child’s medical circumstances.

Population guidance is not an individual assessment. Questions about a particular child’s sleep, movement, development or physical limitations should be considered with qualified professionals who can assess that child.

Related ChildSpecialist.in information

For the screen-specific part of the same WHO framework, see screen time for children under 5. For development terminology, see developmental monitoring versus developmental screening.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age, 2 April 2019.
  2. World Health Organization. To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more, 24 April 2019.