Most Young Canadian Children Meet Activity and Sleep Targets, Fewer Meet Screen Limits
A national report card on children aged 0–4 found that 67% met physical-activity recommendations and 80% met sleep recommendations. Only 48% stayed within screen-time limits, and 25% met all three movement guidelines. The assessment highlights early strengths in activity and sleep while identifying screen time as a priority gap.
The first national early-years report card examined movement habits among Canadians aged 0–4. It found 67% reached activity targets and 80% reached sleep targets, while 48% stayed within screen limits and 25% met all three. Guideline sleep ranges vary by age, from 12–17 hours for infants to 10–13 for preschoolers.
Activity guidance includes tummy time for babies and 180 daily minutes for toddlers and preschoolers. Screen guidance allows up to one hour for ages 2–4 and none under 2. Access gaps appeared for lower-income, rural and racial or ethnic minority families; 41% of children took part in structured activity, but only 22% of communities had a formal movement strategy.
The findings could shape how families, early-childhood educators and health professionals think about daily routines for very young children. Because screen time is the weakest area, parents may face pressure to set limits amid digital entertainment and remote work. Communities and recreation providers may use the benchmark to identify access gaps, especially for lower-income, rural and minority families. If tracked over time, the report card could inform public-health messaging and local planning without blaming individual caregivers.