ParticipACTION Issues Report Card on Early Years Activity
A new national study assesses the sleep, movement, and screen time habits of Canadian children ages 0 to 4.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Children’s Health
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ParticipACTION has released Canada’s inaugural national report card specifically focused on the physical activity, sleep, and screen time habits of children in their early years. The findings reveal that while a majority of young children meet sleep and activity benchmarks, only one-quarter meet all three health recommendations.
Why it matters
Understanding movement behaviors in the early years is critical as physical inactivity remains a significant public health issue. The report highlights disparities in health access that affect children based on household income, geography, and background.
The report finds that 67% of children meet physical activity recommendations, 80% meet sleep goals, and 48% satisfy screen time limits. Only 25% of children in the 0 to 4 age bracket currently meet all three national health recommendations.
The players
ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is a Canadian non-profit organization that promotes physical activity and healthy living through national programs and research initiatives.
The details
The report synthesizes extensive regional and pan-Canadian data to evaluate how Canadian children ages 0 to 4 are developing healthy movement habits. Findings indicate that barriers such as lack of access to recreation facilities and socio-economic gaps create significant disparities in physical activity participation.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: ParticipACTION released the national report card.
2004: Canada's report card model was originally established.
The Big Picture
This release follows the framework established by the 2004 Canadian report card model, which has since been adopted by 70 cities, provinces, and countries globally. The assessment extends this standardized evaluation method to target the vital development period of early childhood.
Parents and caregivers can use these benchmarks to assess if their young children are meeting recommended levels of daily movement and sleep. The report highlights the need for broader community support to bridge gaps in recreation access for families in lower-income households.
The takeaway
Establishing healthy habits early provides a foundation for long-term physical well-being throughout a child's development. Families are encouraged to prioritize active play and consistent sleep schedules to help meet the national health targets.
Further reading
For more information on national health initiatives, visit the Children’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Kingston Whig-Standard.
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Are children in your community generally hitting their recommended daily targets for activity and sleep?
