Childcare Alive! Physical Activity

Goal: Provide 1-2 hours of physical activity throughout the day, including outside play when possible.

Daily physical activity and active play time helps children to sleep better, learn more, and become comfortable with their environment. Intentionally planning physical activity into your children’s schedule will be necessary to assure they receive the 1-2 hours they need each day. Check out these resources to find ways to include more physical activity in your setting:

Sample Schedules Including Physical Activity and Screen Time Totals

You may use the following forms to help you keep track of physical activity and screen time.

• Completed Sample Schedule
• Blank Sample Schedule - Toddlers
• Blank Sample Schedule - Preschoolers

Helpful Websites

• Head Start Body Start Activity Resources
• Physical Activity Suggestions by Age from West VIrginia Department of Education
• Searchable Activity Database through Extension Alliance for Better Child Care
• Let’s Move! Child Care Resource Center for Physical Activity

Other Resources

• Increasing Active Play Time

  Tips from the NAP SACC Program.

• Sesame Street: We Have the Moves

  Includes activities for varying amount of time, equipment, space, and age groups.

• Outdoor Play During the Winter

  Ideas for outdoor play activities during the winter months.

• Best Practices for Physical Activity in Child Care

  supported by North Dakota CCR&R as well as several other agencies and programs.

• Healthy Activity Booklist

  includes books that encourage movement; good options for acting out story time.

• Sample Policies: Nutrition & Physical Activity

  from the NAP SACC Program.

• Sample Policies - All 5 Goal Areas

  from Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Program and the Nemours Foundation.