Staying active 

Staying active is important for all children for many reasons. It can help them: 

  • increase their fitness level 
  • reduce the risk of becoming overweight or obese 
  • increase their bone and muscle strength 
  • sleep better 
  • have fun 

These benefits are especially important for children with SEND because they can experience poorer physical health than other children of the same age. 

If you can, help your child to do some physical activity every day. 

Read the BBC article on how physical activity can support children with SEND at home 

Find activities, tips and ideas to keep your child moving: 

Eating well 

It is important for children to have a balanced, varied diet to make sure they get all the nutrients and energy their bodies need. 

If children do not get the nutrients they need from their diet, it can affect their development. 

Find information, advice and guidance on healthy eating: 

Maintaining a healthy weight 

As children grow and develop at different rates, it's not always easy to tell if they are a healthy weight. 

Find out more about children’s weight