Active Play for Healthy Development

Physical activity is essential in early care and education because young children learn best when they are moving. Active play strengthens developing muscles and bones, supports healthy growth, and helps children build coordination, balance, and motor skills. Just as importantly, movement fuels brain development by increasing blood flow to the brain, supporting focus and memory, and helping children regulate their emotions. Research shows preschoolers should engage in at least 120 minutes of physical activity each day, with toddlers needing at least 90 minutes. When children have daily opportunities to run, climb, dance, and explore, they build a strong foundation for lifelong health and learning.

In early care and education settings, physical activity also plays a critical role in social emotional development and school readiness. Through active play, children learn to take turns, cooperate with peers, solve problems, and build confidence as they master new skills. For many children, early care programs provide the most consistent opportunities for safe, structured movement, making these environments essential for establishing healthy habits early.

This time of year can make it especially challenging to get children outside to move, run, and explore consistently. Do you need support increasing physical activity while confined indoors, Go NAPSACC, Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care, offers practical tools, strategies, and resources to help programs keep children active, engaged, and thriving year round. Registration for the April 2026 Go NAPSACC project is now open. Click here to learn more about the Go NAPSACC project.

If you have questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Training, at lauri@mochildcareaware.org or 314-754-1603.  

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