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• Physical activity and exercise
Young children naturally want to move their bodies!

Here are examples of some fun activities involving physical activity that you should see children doing (appropriate to their age) at your child care program:

• Dancing, jumping or skipping to music.
• Walking, running.
• Using playground equipment.
• Gardening.
• Raking leaves.
• Acting, putting on dramatic skits with role playing.
• Making a snowman.
• Bicycling wearing a helmet.
• Tumbling.
• Games - examples: ball games, duck-duck goose, Simon says.
• Pretending (being a giraffe in the African savanna).
• Helping with carrying items from one activity to another.

Note: Like home, child care is a place where a child's development is shaped by daily activities, activities that set the stage for life. Take a look at your own activity habits to see if you're setting a good example.

• Promoting Healthy Weight

Along with lots of physical activity, do you observe:
• Children being offered a variety of nutritious food choices during meal and snack times?



• Children not "grazing " throughout the day - snacks (including fresh fruit and vegetables) are at planned and at predictable times?



• The availability of fresh, clean water anytime a child is thirsty? Juice is offered only at specific meals and snacks but not throughout the day.



• Allowing children to leave food on their plate if they are full?



• Food never being used as a reward or punishment?



• Meal times that are enjoyable with lots of social interaction among the children and the caregiver? (No sitting in front of the TV while eating)



• Encouraging children to eat slowly, chewing every bite thoroughly?



• Limiting time in front of the TV, at the computer or playing hand held games?



• Taking advantage of educational "moments" to promote healthy foods and fun activities that promote physical exercise?

See also Meals and Snacks Section and Playground Safety Section.