Active play is physical activity. Engaging in active play with children is good role-modeling, and a great way to relieve stress.
Children learn behaviors from adults. Encouraging children to be physically active each day can help them develop a positive attitude toward movement, dance, sports, and other physical activity. Playing actively with children in your care can help them develop healthy habits.
Why is it important to encourage active play? By moving more and sitting less, children learn to live in a healthful way. When children participate in active play, they develop their large muscles. Large muscle development is important for movements such as walking, balancing, sitting up straight, kicking, jumping, lifting, reaching, and throwing a ball. Large muscle development also supports the development of small muscles, which helps with skills such as holding small objects and turning pages in a book.
Active play also develops children’s confidence in their ability to be physically active. You should encourage active play every day because: ► Active play helps children build their bones.
► Habits are learned early in life, so being active while in child care can create lifelong physical activity habits.
► Children may spend a lot of time at home in front of televisions and computers instead of playing actively. Give them good habits while they are in your care!
What should I do to encourage active play? To promote children’s active play, you can: ► Participate with children during active play time.
► Lead activities two or more times per day that promote children’s physical movement.
► Wear clothing and footwear that permits easy and safe movement, and let families know to dress children in appropriate clothing and footwear. (See the Promote Active Play Through Written Policies and Practices tip sheet on page 69 for more information.)
► Plan and encourage physical activities that are appropriate and safe.
► Encourage movement by getting children actively moving often.
► Limit “screen time,” such as TV and DVD viewing, video games, recreational computer use, and other electronic devices. (See the Limit Screen Time Tip Sheet on page 73 for more information.)