Early Childhood 'PA and Programming for Active Play'

Early Childhood | Physical Activities and Programming for Active Play

Research shows that physical activity has many benefits for children including healthy growth and development of the cardio-respiratory system, bones and muscles. Mental and social health benefits of physical activity include feeling more confident, happy, relaxed and sleeping better. Active play helps children develop skills in communication, teamwork and social interaction, and assists emotional development and cognitive abilities.

Fact sheet - Active Play for Early Childhood Centres and Family Day Care - provides an overview of what active play, structured and unstructured play are, the benefits of active play, how to engage and encourage children in active play and developmental movement milestones for children from birth. Source: ACT Health in partnership with Heart Foundation ACT

Activities and program planning to encourage children to be more active

	Romp and Chomp - Daily Structured Active Play ProgramThis resource has been designed for use in long day care and family day care settings. It provides educators with a breakdown of large muscle movements for children from birth and age appropriate active play games to suit these developmental needs. Click here to view this resource Source: Deakin University / Barwon Health, Victoria
	Kids At Play - provides a range of examples of indoor and outdoor physical activity for children from birth. Each activity provides a plan that ncludes resources, time, how to carry out the activity and other 'things' to think about when planning the activity. Click here to view the Kids At Play resources. Source: ACT Health in partnership with Heart Foundation ACT
	Australian Sports Commission - Traditional Indigenous Games; Yulunga: Individual games - provides examples of a number of Indigenous games that can be implemented in early childhood settings. Click here to view the Yulunga games resources. Source: Australian Sports Commission
	Move, Sing and Grow - is an outdoor active play program that is best suited for small to large groups of children and requires little or no equipment. This program is currently being utilised in a number of early childhood settings. Click here to view the Move, Sing and Grow program. Source: Linda Aitken, Early Childhood Facilitator, Queensland Health
	Raising Children Network - provides information and articles on active play, the benefits of active play and some examples of physical activity for both individuals and groups of children from birth to 18 years. Click here to view the Raising Children Network. Source: Raising Children Network	Raising Children Network: The Australian Parenting Website

Snacktivities - Snack-size pieces (10 minute intervals) of active play:

Remember to be Sun Smart when playing outdoors: The Cancer Council Queensland Sun Smart Policy Guidelines explain how to Sun Smart when you are playing outdoors throughout the day.

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