Physical Activity Education and Professional Development
Education empowers people to make healthier choices.
The best practices (per GO NAPSACC) and the related resources in this section focus on educating children, staff, and parents about physical activity. Understanding the why behind doing physical activity is important to making healthy choices in programs and at home. Understanding how to reach physical activity recommendations also helps them to make changes that fit program, family, and individual child needs.
Best Practices
Select each GO NAPSACC best practice goal below to find related resources.
"Preschool children and toddlers participate in planned lessons focused on building gross motor skills 1 time per week or more."
“Get Moving” Physical Activity Early Childhood Facilitator Guide
Summary: Six lessons for childcare providers to use in teaching children ages 3-5 about physical activity. Includes teacher resources to implement each lesson, as well as corresponding materials to share with families.
Source: Michigan University State Extension
GO Noodle for Schools - Indoor Physical Activity Ideas
Summary: Ideas for indoor physical activity for providers in schools and child care.
Source: GO Noodle, Inc.
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Physical Activity Cards
Summary: More than 100 physical activity cards for children ages 4-15 that can be downloaded and printed for free.
Source: University of Missouri Extension
Physical Activity Cards for All Ages
Summary: 24 physical activity cards appropriate or adjustable for all ages that can be downloaded and printed for free.
Source: Alliance for Healthier Generation
Physical Activity Toolkit for Preschool-Aged Children
Summary: A guide for early care and education centers to integrate and increase children’s physical activity throughout the day. Resources include planning and scheduling tools, sample activities, skill cards, do-it-yourself equipment tips, policy templates, and no-cost education resources.
Source: California Department of Public Health
Screen Time Reduction Early Childhood Facilitator Guide
Summary: Six lessons for childcare providers to use in teaching children ages 2-5 about reducing screen time. Includes teacher resources to implement each lesson, as well as corresponding materials to share with families.
Source: Michigan University State Extension
Sesame Street: Healthy Habits for Life
Summary: Activities for providers, children, and families, some of which focus on nutrition and physical activity.
Source: Sesame Workshop
"Teachers talk with children informally about the importance of physical activity each time they see an opportunity."
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Physical Activity Toolkit for Preschool-Aged Children
Summary: A guide for early care and education centers to integrate and increase children’s physical activity throughout the day. Resources include planning and scheduling tools, sample activities, skill cards, do-it-yourself equipment tips, policy templates, and no-cost education resources.
"Teachers and staff receive professional development on children’s physical activity (other than playground safety) 2 times per year or more."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: A guide for creating policies including rationale, steps for creating policies, and policy recommendations.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Child and Family Development
Summary: Articles, online classes, upcoming virtual events, videos, and more. Early childhood topics include positive disciple, healthy growth and development, active play, etc., free of charge.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MiRegistry Course Catalog
Summary: By entering “physical activity" or "gross motor skills" in the “Course Title, Competency, or Qualification” search box, professional development classes related to physical activity will appear. Click on “View Course Detail” for each class to read more.
Source: MiRegistry
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Pennington Nutrition Series: Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Summary: Handout that can be shared with staff and families explaining physical activity guidelines, research, and facts for children.
Source: Louisiana State University Ag Center Research and Extension-Pennington Biomedical Research Center
"Professional development on children’s physical activity covers a variety of topics including motor skill development and guidance to help ensure that children get the recommended amount of daily physical activity in child care and at home."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: A guide for creating policies including rationale, steps for creating policies, and policy recommendations.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Child and Family Development
Summary: Articles, online classes, upcoming virtual events, videos, and more. Early childhood topics include positive disciple, healthy growth and development, active play, etc., free of charge.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MiRegistry Course Catalog
Summary: By entering “physical activity" or "gross motor skills" in the “Course Title, Competency, or Qualification” search box, professional development classes related to physical activity will appear. Click on “View Course Detail” for each class to read more.
Source: MiRegistry
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Pennington Nutrition Series: Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Summary: Handout that can be shared with staff and families explaining physical activity guidelines, research, and facts for children.
Source: Louisiana State University Ag Center Research and Extension-Pennington Biomedical Research Center
"Families are offered education on children’s physical activity 2 times per year or more."
Child and Family Development
Summary: Articles, online classes, upcoming virtual events, videos, and more. Early childhood topics include positive disciple, healthy growth and development, active play, etc., free of charge.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Pennington Nutrition Series: Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Summary: Handout that can be shared with staff and families explaining physical activity guidelines, research, and facts for children.
Source: Louisiana State University Ag Center Research and Extension-Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Sesame Street: Healthy Habits for Life
Summary: Activities for providers, children, and families, some of which focus on nutrition and physical activity.
Source: Sesame Workshop
"Education for families on children’s physical activity covers a variety of topics including motor skill development and guidance to help families encourage physical activity at home."
Child and Family Development
Summary: Articles, online classes, upcoming virtual events, videos, and more. Early childhood topics include positive disciple, healthy growth and development, active play, etc., free of charge.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Pennington Nutrition Series: Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Summary: Handout that can be shared with staff and families explaining physical activity guidelines, research, and facts for children.
Source: Louisiana State University Ag Center Research and Extension-Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Sesame Street: Healthy Habits for Life
Summary: Activities for providers, children, and families, some of which focus on nutrition and physical activity.
Source: Sesame Workshop
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