CATCH Early Childhood Physical Education Activities

Goal Of CATCH Early Childhood Physical Activity CEC Physical Activity is designed to promote children’s enjoyment and participation of MVPA (moderate to vigorous physical activity) during activity time and recreation time with family and friends. The goal of CEC physical activity is so important because it focuses on the primary behavior in childhood that predicts adult habits.

Traditional Games & Activities Elimination (e.g., musical chairs) Child as target (e.g., dodgeball) Low activity (e.g., duck-duck-goose) Limited opportunity for skill development (e.g., kickball) Many traditional games and activities do not offer a majority of children opportunities to be active at high rates of MVPA.

CEC PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES CEC is fun & enjoyable! Provide children with at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily & be involved in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for 50% of the time. Children are provided with many opportunities to participate and practice skills. Encourage children to participate in a variety of physical activities in school, after-school, and with family & friends. Read/paraphrase the four CEC objectives for physical activity. Remember: Have fun, be active, many chances to participate, and take the message home!

CATCH Early Childhood BASICS B Boundaries and Routines A Activity from the Get-go S Stop and Start Signals I Involvement by All C Concise Instructional Cues S Supervision & Safety The BASICS is a CEC behavior management strategy. Describe each of the letters of the acronym. Remind trainees to remember the BASICS during the execution of all physical activities.

The Language of CEC Physical Activity Parade Around Skitter, Scatter Bubble of Space The “When” before the “What” Tag with Two Challenge by Choice “CATCHify” old favorites Everyday/Sometimes foods “CATCH” them making healthy choices! “The Language of CEC Physical Activity” are terms/concepts that are applicable to the CEC Physical Activity Box and delivery of the CEC physical activities/games. Go over each bullet with the participants, and reinforce the language when you are demonstrating games throughout the training. Hitting the Track – children walking the boundaries. Mingle, Mingle – a great game for kids to learn their personal space and get quickly into groups. Lost & Found – this term is used to refer to the teacher when kids are getting into groups. If they don’t find a group, they can go to “lost & found” and get placed quickly into a group. Eliminate elimination games – CKC games are designed to have all children involved. Re-Entry Tasks/Re-Entry Zone – a child can go to a designated re-entry zone to perform a task and re-enter the game. Challenge by Choice – the focus is taken off of “winning and losing” and placed more on improving yourself. The “When” before the “What” - For example: “ When I say GO, you will hit the track”. Go Activities – Activities that are designed to get your heart rate up and increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Everyday/Sometimes Foods - Integration of the two CKC food categories is encouraged (e.g., Perform 5 jumping jacks and call out 5 Everyday Foods). “CATCH” them making healthy choices – constantly try to give positive recognition to kids when they make healthy choices.

CEC Activity Box The CEC Activity Box has a multitude of activities that: Allow kids of all skill and fitness levels to actively participate and be successful. Foster development of a healthy attitude toward activity and competition. Make planning and leading activities easier for staff and program leaders. Introduce the box and highlight the large number of activities.

CEC Activity Box INTRODUCTION SCOPE AND SEQUENCE SAMPLE LESSON PLANS ACTIVITY SECTIONS Classroom Management Warm Up Go Fitness Go Activities Cool Down Briefly describe the layout of the Activity Box…specifically the tabbed activity sections. Emphasize the importance of the Management Activites section and reference their use in the previous activity session.

CEC Lesson Structure The WARM-UP prepares the body for the vigorous activity to follow, as well as reduces the likelihood of injury. The GO FITNESS activities promote muscular strength and endurance and cardiovascular endurance. The GO ACTIVITY is the main activity for the day. They focus on fundamental motor and manipulative skills. The COOL-DOWN involves tapering the level of intensity to help children’s bodies return to a normal level. The structure of CEC physical activity lessons reflects a classic approach by including a warm-up and cool down, fitness time and the major focus of the lesson (the GO Activity). While this may not be practical in all situations, it provides guidance for addressing fitness and skill development.

CEC Sample Lesson Plan The sample lesson plans offer an easy way to begin experimenting with the CEC lessons in sequence. The suggested sequence of lessons was designed to move from basic to the more complex skill development. In most cases the sequence of lessons was arranged so transition times between games are kept at a minimum.

AT THE HEART OF CEC Developmentally appropriate “Start Out Right” by establishing classroom management techniques Providing multiple opportunities to experience successful movement. Making it FUN! Review the major aspects of the CEC physical activity programs. It has a wealth of developmentally appropriate activites that are inclusive, can be adjusted to the skill level of an individual or class and is enjoyable to teach because it provides so many options for the teacher

Fun Noodle Train AS you can see the following examples, all of the children are actively involved in various skill and fitness development activities.

Balloon Challenge

Beanbag Crazy

Ice Skate

Yoga Breathing Exercises

Am Do, Can Do, Will Do What are you already doing to support a healthy environment? What can you do that won’t take a lot of time or money? What will you do that might take a little more time to plan? Refer the participants to the “Am Do, Can Do, Will Do” page in their workbook. Allow time for them write in their workbook.