How can parents better take care of their child in terms of what eating habits they should have, how much sleep they should be getting, or the amount of exercise they need each day? These are among the parenting concerns addressed in these new 24-hour activity guidelines for early childhood.
On Jan 21, 2022, Singapore’s first set of activity guidelines for early childhood was launched by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower. It was developed by the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital-led Integrated Platform for Research in Advancing Metabolic Health Outcomes of Women and Children (IPRAMHO).
How parents can take care of the health and wellbeing of their child early on
This set of integrated activity guidelines for early childhood aims to set a strong foundation for healthy lifestyle behaviours in young kids aged under seven years old. It also hopes to improve national health in general.
It focuses on four main areas:
Physical activity
Sedentary behaviour
Sleep
Diet and eating habits
Professor Tan Kok Hian — Head and Senior Consultant, Perinatal Audit and Epidemiology Unit, KKH, and Lead Principal Investigator of IPRAMHO — also stated, “Over the past five years, there has been emerging evidence that shows that physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for young children are closely related. Linked to this are eating behaviours and calorie intake. Together, these have a significant impact on a child’s health outcome.”
Integrated 24-hour activity guidelines for early childhood
New Age‑Specific Parenting Playbook
Parents, grab your coffee and buckle up—there’s a fresh set of rules on baby, toddler, and preschooler life. Here’s what to keep in mind, broken down by age group.
Infants (under 1 year)
- Tummy Time: Aim for at least 30 minutes a day—yes, that’s the amount of time you can lie belly‑down with your little one.
- No Screens: Not even a background flicker—these tiny brains need a break.
- Never Leave Alone: Don’t let your baby sit screened by their own hands for over an hour.
- Meal Timing: Spread feedings more than 2–3 hours apart to keep over‑feeding at bay.
- Sleep:
Up to 3 months: 14–17 hrs total.
4–11 months: 12–15 hrs, naps included.
Toddlers (1 – under 3 years)
- Exercise: 180 minutes a day. Outdoor play is the gold standard.
- Screen Limits: Under 18 months: none. 18 months and up: less than 1 hr.
- Mealtime Structure: Healthy family meals, whole milk or water, and a solid routine.
- Sleep: 11–14 hrs, with consistent sleep and wake‑up times.
Preschoolers (3 – under 7 years)
- Exercise: 180 minutes everyday—60 min from moderate to vigorous intensity.
- Screen Time: Recreational stuff should stay below 1 hr.
- Healthy Habits: Family role models, minimal sweetened drinks, and balanced meals.
- Sleep:
3–5 years: 10–13 hrs.
6 years: 11 hrs.
Got questions? Get the full guidelines, but right now, just remember: play, eat, sleep, repeat!
