Active Play Throughout the Day

Family Child Care Physical Development Lesson 6 Apply Active Play Throughout the Day Reflection Required	WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG ACTIVITY ID: 20491 Name Certifier Date
As a family child care provider, support children’s healthy development by encouraging age-appropriate physical activity every day by following recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For infants and toddlers, provide safe, supervised opportunities for movement like tummy time and crawling. Preschoolers (ages 3–5) should be active throughout the day for at least 3 hours, including light to vigorous play. Children ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities. Review the information below, then answer the reflection questions and share your responses with your trainer, coach, or family child care administrator. Why Movement Matters for Children of All Ages Physical activity supports: Supporting healthy growth and development (strong bones, muscles, motor skills, brain development) Promoting a healthy weight by balancing calories consumed and used Improving cardiovascular health (strengthening heart and lungs) Enhancing mental health and mood (reducing anxiety and depression, boosting self-esteem) Developing social skills through interactive play (cooperation, sharing, communication) Improving sleep quality (helping children fall asleep faster and sleep better) Establishing lifelong healthy habits Ways to Play Incorporate movement throughout the day with simple, enjoyable activities during key moments in your routine. Adapt each idea based on the ages and abilities of the children in your care: Morning Routine: Use a movement song, baby stretches, or a quick dance party to start the day Transitions: Have toddlers hop to the bathroom, preschoolers tiptoe to lunch, or school-age children march to their next activity Circle or Group Time: Act out songs, use scarves or ribbons for movement, or do a quick animal movement break Outdoor Play: Encourage climbing, riding toys, ball games, or obstacle courses—babies can do tummy time or supported crawling outside End of Day: Use calming movements like yoga, stretching, or soft music and swaying to help everyone wind down Reflection Questions Think about the amount and type of movement children currently get during their time in your care. When do they move the most? Are there times that could include more movement? What physical activities do you typically join in or lead for children? How do they respond when you participate? What 2–3 new movement routines or games can you try this week to increase activity across different age groups? Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 3). Children - Physical activity basics Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). 60 A Day: Fact Sheet for Kids

Reflection

Required

WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG

ACTIVITY ID: 20491

Name

Certifier

Date

As a family child care provider, support children’s healthy development by encouraging age-appropriate physical activity every day by following recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For infants and toddlers, provide safe, supervised opportunities for movement like tummy time and crawling. Preschoolers (ages 3–5) should be active throughout the day for at least 3 hours, including light to vigorous play. Children ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities. Review the information below, then answer the reflection questions and share your responses with your trainer, coach, or family child care administrator.

Why Movement Matters for Children of All Ages

Physical activity supports:

Supporting healthy growth and development (strong bones, muscles, motor skills, brain development)
Promoting a healthy weight by balancing calories consumed and used
Improving cardiovascular health (strengthening heart and lungs)
Enhancing mental health and mood (reducing anxiety and depression, boosting self-esteem)
Developing social skills through interactive play (cooperation, sharing, communication)
Improving sleep quality (helping children fall asleep faster and sleep better)
Establishing lifelong healthy habits

Ways to Play

Incorporate movement throughout the day with simple, enjoyable activities during key moments in your routine. Adapt each idea based on the ages and abilities of the children in your care:

Morning Routine: Use a movement song, baby stretches, or a quick dance party to start the day
Transitions: Have toddlers hop to the bathroom, preschoolers tiptoe to lunch, or school-age children march to their next activity
Circle or Group Time: Act out songs, use scarves or ribbons for movement, or do a quick animal movement break
Outdoor Play: Encourage climbing, riding toys, ball games, or obstacle courses—babies can do tummy time or supported crawling outside
End of Day: Use calming movements like yoga, stretching, or soft music and swaying to help everyone wind down

Reflection Questions

Think about the amount and type of movement children currently get during their time in your care. When do they move the most? Are there times that could include more movement?
What physical activities do you typically join in or lead for children? How do they respond when you participate?
What 2–3 new movement routines or games can you try this week to increase activity across different age groups?

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 3). Children - Physical activity basics
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). 60 A Day: Fact Sheet for Kids