Daycare kids are spending more time sitting than playing, but educators are stepping up to change that and get them moving more.
Toronto: Lisa Cloutier loves taking her preschool class outside. They explore the nearby forest or run around their daycare. It’s all about keeping kids active.
She remembers her own childhood in Nova Scotia, climbing and jumping around. “Kids are naturally curious,” she says. They want to climb and jump, and that’s great!
But with the recent polar vortex, they had to get creative indoors. Cloutier knows how important it is for kids to move, especially since many are glued to screens these days.
When you think of daycare, you might picture kids running everywhere. But actually, they spend a lot of time sitting, which isn’t good for their development.
That’s why there’s a new initiative in Canada to help educators get preschoolers moving more. Cloutier emphasizes the need for more physical activity in their daily routines.
Kids often play while sitting, like during storytime or while playing with toys. A study found that preschoolers spend about 43 minutes an hour being sedentary at daycare.
Statistics Canada has also noted that kids are spending more time in front of screens. The guidelines suggest preschoolers should get at least 60 minutes of energetic play each day.
It’s not just about sitting down to learn; it’s about moving while learning. For example, why not teach counting with jumping jacks?
However, daycares face challenges. Limited space and bad weather can make it tough to get kids moving. Some educators focus on keeping things calm, which can limit active play.
There’s also a lack of training on the importance of physical activity in ECE programs. Different provinces have different rules about outdoor play and physical activity.
To help, an e-learning course was created to support educators. It’s already been taken by about 700 educators across Canada, and it’s practical, showing real strategies they can use.
Jennifer Usher from Medicine Hat College found the course eye-opening. It’s not just theory; it gives practical tips for getting kids moving right away.
Back in Toronto, Cloutier and her team are making the best of the cold. They’ve turned classrooms into spaces for ice hockey and gymnastics. “There are so many ways to move,” she says.
