Support for Physical Activity

Child care staff should serve as role models for children and be aware of the importance of physical activity.  Creating new opportunities and enhancing the amount of activity is important to the development of children. 

 

Best Practices

The resources in this category are the same for all of the following best practices.

  • "Encourage children to be active and join children in active play."
  • "Provide visible support for physical activity in all areas where children spend most of their time through use of posters, pictures, and displayed books."

 

Milestone Tracker Mobile App

Summary : Track child’s milestone from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy to use check list and learn how to download the mobile app. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access:  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html

 

Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) Manual

Summary:  This manual provides the best practice recommendations for each question on the self-assessment. The manuals also include the rationale behind each recommendation, challenges to implementing recommendations, and tips for changing current practice.
Source:  Michigan Healthy Child Care
Access:  http://mihealthtools.org/childcare/resources.asp

 

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 63-71.
Source:  United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Access:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/nutrition-and-wellness-tips-young-children-provider-handbook-child-and-adult-care-food-program

 
SNAP-Ed Strategies & Interventions: An Obesity Prevention Toolkit for States

Summary:  This toolkit identifies evidence-based and emerging policy, system, and environmental change strategies to help reach low-income households that are impacted most by health disparities. See pages 20-26 for resources.
Source:  United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Access:  https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/SNAP-EdToolkit2016UpdateFeb2.pdf?utm_source=SNEB+Members&utm_campaign=70b5c6aed6-Week+of+January+25%2C+2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86e3ab9f3f-70b5c6aed6-366186833

 
The 3 Ring Food Circus: Easy and Fun Food-Related Activities for Preschoolers and Young Children

Summary: This book contains activities that teach young children about trying and learning new foods, having fun being physically active, and using MyPlate to fill a healthy plate. You can download a pdf from this site.
Source:  United Dairy Industry of Michigan
Access:  https://www.milkmeansmore/3-ring-food-circus

 

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