Study finds link between family dog ownership and girls’ physical activity
Researchers have found a clear link between the acquisition or loss of a family dog and the level of physical activity undertaken by children in the family.
Research
Play Active builds on 10 years of research involving extensive consultation with stakeholders to develop an evidence based ECEC physical activity policy.
Researching for a Healthier Future in Early Childhood
Discover how Play Active is pioneering research with the Kids Research Institute Australia and the University of Western Australia to enhance physical activity and health outcomes for young children across Australia.
Our findings to date
Our research identified children weren’t getting enough energetic play at ECEC, and only 16% of services mentioned children’s physical activity in their policies.
With no existing ECEC-specific policy and program to support children’s physical activity, we collaborated with multi-sector partner organisations to develop Play Active and aligned it with the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards.
100% of intervention services adopted the Play Active policy
Uptake of the Play Active policy led to greater adoption of high-impact physical activity practices
Satisfaction rates were high – 83% of Educators and 78% of Directors were satisfied with Play Active
Participant information
By becoming a Play Active member you will be contributing to important research on improving children’s physical activity levels, health and development.
This research is being conducted by the Kids Research Institute Australia and the University of Western Australia in collaboration with our sector, supporting, research and funding partners across Australia.
Our Partners
Play Active has long-standing partnerships across the early childhood, health promotion, play and government sectors, alongside world leading research organizations.
Research References
Explore the foundational studies and key references that underpin our evidence-based approach to enhancing physical activity in early childhood.
Wenden E…Christian H. Educators’ Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity Policy Implementation in the Childcare Setting: Qualitative Findings From the Play Active Project. AmJHealthPromot. 2022.
Christian HE…Schipperijn J et al. Development of physical activity policy and implementation strategies for early childhood education and care settings using the Delphi process. IntJBehaviNutrPhysAct. 2020. 3
Nathan A…Trost S…Schipperijn J, McLaughlin M, et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of the Play Active policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care: a pragmatic cluster randomised trial protocol. BMCPublicHealth. 2022.
Adams, E.K., Nathan, A., Trost, S.G. et al. Play Active physical activity policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care: results from a pragmatic cluster randomised trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 20, 46 (2023).
Latest news
Happy International Day of Play
Today marks the first-ever International Day of Play, a day dedicated to the joy, creativity, and connection that play brings.
The Play Gap – Latest study finds only 1 in 10 children are getting enough energetic play in childcare
Our latest research has found that only 1 in 10 children are getting enough energetic play while in childcare.
Become a Play Active member today
Become a Play Active member today and learn ways to provide more opportunities and supportive environments for children’s physical activity
and energetic play.
