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Active children learn all the movement skills they need for life. Not to mention, they sleep better!
Christian, H., Rosenberg, M., Trost, S., Schipperijn, J., Maitland, C., Trapp, G., Lester, L., Boruff, B., Thornton, A., Zubrick, S., Powell, J. , Wenden, E. (2018). ‘A snapshot of the PLAYCE project: Findings from the Western Australian PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity Study. Supportive Childcare Environments for Physical Activity in the Early Years. Perth, Western Australia: The University of Western Australia, School of Population and Global Health.
So you might be surprised to hear that two in three children at childcare don't get enough active play, data shows two in three children could be huffing and puffing more at childcare.
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Find out if your child’s ECEC service is a Play Active member. If not, ask for Play Active at your service today.
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If you’re new to Play Active, welcome! Here’s a few common questions we get asked.
Depending on how old your child is, there is different guidance. But generally, it’s the more ‘energetic’-type play that children don’t do enough of these days. Energetic play, also called ‘huff and puff’ play, named after what it makes children do (huff and puff), includes running, jumping and climbing.
The Australian Government’s evidence-based guidance on the amount of active play (physical activity), sedentary behaviour (inactive sitting and lying down) and sleep children should do daily is available here.
On a typical 8-hour day at childcare, for 3-5 year olds, we reccomend 180 minutes of active play, including 30 minutes of energetic play (‘huff and puff’).
Talk with Educators at your childcare and find out what’s in their physical activity policy for your child’s age.
You can find out more about Play Active on our About Us page.
Australian data from more than 1500 children shows that two in three children aren’t active enough while at childcare. Read more in the Child’s Play Report.
Did you know that young children aged 1 to 5 years need at least 3 hours per day in a variety of physical activities, including energetic play, spread throughout the day. More is better!
Children aged 3-5 should have at least 60 minutes of energetic play each day. More is better!
Energetic play is ‘huff and puff’ activity. Young children do it in bursts. It is important they have lots of opportunities to do it throughout the day.
Physical activity provides young children with many health and developmental benefits including:
ECEC services play an important role in encouraging young children to be physically active, healthy and developing well.
Backed by 10 years of research and co-created with educators, Play Active provides easy to use and evidence-informed support for ECEC services to boost children’s energetic play at their service.
It’s quick and easy to join.
What do ECEC services say about Play Active?
Check out if your service is a Play Active member. If not, become a member today.
Check if your service is a Play Active member. If not, prompt your director to join.
Find out if your child’s ECEC service is a Play Active member. If not, ask for Play Active at your service today.
