Other Webcasts to View Why Wellness? An Overview of the Child Obesity Epidemic and Prevention Strategies in the Early Care and Education Setting Introduction to Active Early/Healthy Bites: WI Guides for Improving Childhood Physical Activity and Nutrition Healthy Bites…Developing and Implementing Nutrition Policies (Best Practices)

Children spend much of their day in child care facilities, so it’s important that they spend time moving their bodies! Children should be learning fundamental movement skills Being active in childhood can lead to physical activity habits that last a lifetime If children hear the same health messages at home and in their early care and education program, they’ll listen Many adults would like to learn more about being active, and a early care and education program is a great place for parents and staff to learn!

Take Action! Contents Physical Activity Recommendations Development Child Assessment Daily Routines Environment Resources Business Practices

Child Care Physical Activity Policies Quality Improvement Plan Template Language Development Word Lists and Book List Sample Schedules for Preschool and Infant/Toddlers Homemade Physical Activity Materials Material and Equipment Ideas for Skill Development Appendices

Curriculum – Books, Articles and Websites, CCIC Environment – Equipment and Materials Business Practices – Policy Development Staff and Worksite Wellness Considerations Physical Development Awareness Resources

Types of Policies for Physical Activity Program Policies for Parent Handbook –Education Amount of daily time for active play Required number of times for play outdoors each day Screen time limits Demonstrate the environment supporting physical activity Demonstrate how staff support physical activity

Policies Cont’d –Child Guidance Physical Activity is not withheld or forced for misbehavior Parent involvement Events/education opportunities for parents –Yearly or more frequently Daily communication standard to parents

Personnel Policies Dress Code –Appropriate footwear –Appropriate clothing Continuing Education –Mandatory training –Center will provide training Job Responsibilities or Duties –Interview questions –Modeling –Use of developmentally appropriate language

The following are some sample statements that you can add to your policies and procedures to make your child care center more supportive of physical activity.

Birth – 11 Months Follow AAP recommendations Encourage optimal motor development –Plan engaging activities for Tummy Time with all infants at least 2 – 3 times per day while the child is awake. –Staff will respond promptly to cues for frustration, boredom or fatigue.

Promote lifelong physical activity by: –Providing planned daily physical activity that is safe, engaging and appropriate for each infant to safely support physical development and health Provide infants with outdoor time daily following Wisconsin Licensing Rules Support infant development by not using swings, bouncy chairs and other confining equipment in the infant classroom at any time. (Exception of high chairs and strollers)

One Year and Older Write statement that says program is committed to children’s health. Recognize the importance of staff as positive role models. –Staff will role-model positive behaviors by being physically active with children both indoors and outdoors. –Encourage all children to try new physical activities and staff will respond positively when they do.

–Staff will share their own positive experiences with physical activity and facilitate conversations with children about their experiences. –Provide fun, engaging physical activity daily in lesson plans. –Make safe equipment accessible/ -Soft balls, push-pull toys, low carpeted blocks to climb on - (one year olds) –Not use physical activity as punishment One Year and Older, cont’d.

–Re-direct children to safe physical activities and/or involve them in discussions about what to do when safety issues or other concerns come up. Provide children with outdoor time daily. Screen time is not permitted in this program. (Except for educational computer use and physical activity) One Year and Older, cont’d.

Other Policies Use physical activity opportunities as rewards. Provide information to parents about physical activity and other opportunities available in the community. Staff has annual professional development training in physical activity.

Policy Statement Examples 1.ABC Program will ensure that each child, according to his or her ability, is provided the opportunity for a minimum of _____ minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity indoors and/or outdoors for every three(3) hours the child is in attendance between the hours of 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

2. ABC will ensure that television, digital video display (DVD), and video cassette viewing shall be as follows: –Prohibited for children younger than two years of age. –Not permitted without the written approval of each child’s parent/guardian –Limited to programs which are age- appropriate and educational –Not exceed one (1) hour daily per child or group of children.

3. ABC program will ensure that staff interacts with infants providing the following opportunities through out the day. –Limiting time spent while awake, in any confining equipment (crib, infant seat, swing, high chair, or play pen) 4. ABC program will ensure that staff interact with toddlers at their eye level, and whenever appropriate, sit on the floor with toddlers. –Providing opportunities for children to walk, run, climb, stack, balance, scribble, draw, and develop fine and large motor skills

5.ABC program will ensure that staff interact with preschool-age children at their eye level, and whenever appropriate sitting on the floor with the children. –Providing opportunities for children to walk, run, climb, stack, balance, scribble, draw, write, and refine fine and large motor skills.

6. ABC program will ensure that the use of the computer shall be as follows: –Prohibited for children younger than two (2) year of age –Not permitted without the written approval of each child’s parent/guardian –Limited to programs, games, and web sites which are age-appropriate and educational –Supervised by a staff member

ACTIVE EARLY Contains Sample Policies Active Play and Inactive Time Play Environment Supporting Physical Activity Physical Activity Education Page 63.

Questions??? For more information, contact DPI at Download a copy of Active Early and other resources at:

This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 25