Activities
How can I put this information into practice in my child care program?
Practice good role modeling. Participate in activities with them. Limit cell phone and computer use when children are busy with other activities.
Play music: Have children make up their own dances. Add wide ribbons and beach balls for more movement.
Provide toys for children to stack: For infants and toddlers, provide nesting cups or building blocks.
Organize puzzle time: Have easy puzzles children can do alone or in pairs.
Draw, color, create a sculpture, or use play dough: Choose a topic of the day and have children draw or create the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the topic. Do easy craft projects, such as coloring or making greeting cards for upcoming holidays or birthdays.
Other ideas:
Which of these fun ideas will you try next week? Mark your choices.
Which of these creative activity ideas will you try with children next week? Mark your choices. Conduct a “pretend play” activity: Cut out shapes in a variety of colors. Have children make a pretend place that each shape represents. Travel from place to place by putting the shapes in various spots both indoors and outdoors.
Read: Read books and point to pictures. Have children make up their own stories.
Encourage extra outdoor play: Set up a safe obstacle course for children to balance, climb, jump, and hop. Visit www.headstartbodystart.org for additional ideas for outdoor play and active play using pool noodles, beach balls, and hula hoops.
Act out stories or skits: Hand out a variety of costume pieces. Have children dress up and act out a play or story.
Involve children in part of the meal and snack preparation, as well as clean-up time.
Encourage children to be active: Do not allow hand-held video games during active play times.
See the Active Play tip sheets on pages 63 and 67 for more ideas.
Other ideas:
Replace screen time with creative activities children can do on their own while you are accomplishing other tasks.