Active play and movement are important for every child’s growth, health, development, and learning. Although they may seem to be active and energetic, most children do not get the amount of physical activity they need. Research shows that young children in child care still spend a lot of their time sitting or lying down. Children should not be seated or still for more than 15 minutes at a time, except during meals or naps. Children need a healthy balance of high-energy active play like running and climbing, as well as passive play like sitting in the sand box. Children spend many hours each day in your child care program, so providing the recommended amount of active play is important in helping children establish healthy habits.