A recent study revealed that sedentary child care workers lead to sedentary toddlers. While toddlers may play, participate and be active for the first few minutes of an activity, they end up spending fewer minutes moving around and about.

The Study

Spearheaded by the US Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program, the study looked into 227 classrooms composed of child care centers and head start programs. They measured the amount of time children spent in active play and sedentary time. The study found out that children spent less time being active when their assigned teacher did not join them during active play. The finding was based on the nationally-approved guideline of spending more than 60 to 90 minutes a day of physical activity.

The Science

When young children engage in physical activity, this helps them in their brain development, boosting their imagination and creativity. In terms of physical development, physical activity helps children have fitter bodies, more bone density and stronger muscles. The American Academy of Pediatrics have also found a link between active play and lower rates of smoking and depression in later life.

The Barriers

While all child care workers would love to engage children in activities that promote physical development, wishy-washy weather contributes to fewer minutes spent in active play outdoors. However, there are tips available to childcare workers to promote physical activity for their children and meet the national guideline of more than 60 to 90 minutes of active play.

3 Activities to Help Boost Physical Activity

1. Go on walks.

If your center or daycare does not have enough space to facilitate outdoor activities, you can take them on walks around the block or neighborhood. Start with short distances, familiarizing them and your neighbors, to make the walk safer and more enjoyable. Read more on how to take toddlers on a walk here.

2. Create dance time.

Children have a natural rhythm and love for moving their bodies. Hit play and dance with them to any music you chance upon. Start with free, unchoreographed dancing then slowly introduce steps and routines to boost their coordination and memory skills.

3. Assign time for free, unstructured play.

Play comes naturally to children. At their young age, play is how they learn and develop. Whether they’re engaging in parallel play or slowly learning to play with their peers, it gives them good opportunities to develop their interpersonal skills while actively engaging and dealing with their toys and peers. They also get to activate their imagination and let it fuel their unstructured play. Going with what they want the play to be and being their playmate, asking questions about how they want the play to go on gives child care workers an opportunity to get insights into the children’s progress and development.

While the pandemic posed challenges and hampered opportunities for young children to have more active play, it is not too late to help them catch up. So get ready, set, and play to help children get back on track to developing their young bodies through active play.