Novel ways to encourage pre-school children to exercise

Fun dance routines are being introduced to childcare centres and kindergartens as a way to get children to exercise more.

A "walking school bus" initiative, which involves getting parents, teachers and volunteers to walk with the children to school is also on the cards.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) says it plans to introduce these measures to 500 pre-schools by 2015. The move is to help young children below seven meet the new guidelines issued by the HPB last December, in which three hours of physical activity every day is recommended.

Senior Minister of State for Law and Education Indranee Rajah on Wednesday described the new methods as "novel". "Preschool educators and parents play a significant role in cultivating a healthy environment for our young children," she said.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.