Active babies Smart babies

(Content Revised 01/2024)

Babies and toddlers learn about their bodies through games and play. Different physical activities greatly help babies developing their muscles, movement skills, senses and sensory development. The interaction between parents and babies also enhances communication and foster bonding. To support babies and toddler’s development, it is recommended that children less than one year have at least 30 minutes of tummy time each day, while children one to two years of age engage in at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity daily.

Baby Tummy Times

  • It is recommended that babies have at least 30 minutes of tummy time throughout a day. Placing your baby on a firm mattress or mat and encouraging him to lie on his tummy helps him develop and strengthen the muscles on the neck and back, shoulders, arms and hands.
  • Every day when your baby is awake, you can stay with him, and place him on his stomach for 3 to 5 minutes at a time on a bed, floor mat or on your chest. As your baby begins to enjoy it, you can gradually ramp up the duration and frequency.
  • While doing tummy time with your baby, you can encourage him lifting his head to look at you and engage with him interactively. You can use your voice, facial expressions or colorful toys to attract his attention and encourage him to look around. This helps promote sensory development and strengthen the muscles in the his neck and allows him to observe the surroundings from different angles and positions. For example, you can get his attention from different positions on both sides to encourage him to turn his head from left to right.

When babies can support full weight of their bodies when being held upright, parents can

Hold your baby under his arms. Let him stand on your thigh or a mat and sway and move with the music rhyme.

When babies sit well, parents can

  • Place a mat on the floor. Let your baby crawl and roll over under your supervision.
  • Place objects and toys of different shapes and textures slightly out of his reach such that your baby has to stretch to get them. This helps develop his sense of touch.
  • Play peek-a-boo with your baby. Hide objects under a towel before him and help him find it.

When babies can stand holding on furniture , parents can

  • Allow your baby to cruise along furniture under your supervision.
  • Encourage your baby to walk and develop balance by pushing a weighted “kiddie push car” or a steady chair.

As babies can walk alone, parents can engage in more games and activities with them, let your one to two-year-olds spend at least 180 minutes of different intensity activities every day

  • Read picture books and simple story books together, engage in parent-child reading time to foster your baby's physical and mental development
  • Dance or jump to music while singing nursery rhymes
  • Blow bubbles and chase them to enhance hand-eye coordination
  • Play tossing and catching games with bean bags or balloons, working together with your toddler to prevent objects from touching the ground
  • Play hide-and-seek

Engaging in Outdoor Activities

  • Enjoy outdoor activities and conduct active physical games with your child, such as running, jumping, and chasing.
  • Let your baby roll on a mat laid out on the grass, listen to the surrounding sounds, and touch the grass or trees.
  • Let your baby walk barefoot on the grass or beach to stimulate the sense of touch.
  • Pay attention to sun protection. Seek shade when sunlight is strong. Practice protection measures to prevent yourself and your baby from sunburn. Let him wear a hat and sunscreen products.

Sedentary Time

  • Interacting with people helps children developing language and social skill. Parents can read him a book or tell him a story when children sit quietly or have nothing to do.
  • Except sleeping, avoid restraining babies in stroller, high chair, carrier, or car seat for more than 1 hour at a time.

Avoid Screen Time

Children under 2 are recommended to avoid using electronic screen products unless doing interactive video-chat under your guidance.