Children and Providers: Get Active, Early!

"3…2…1… Swat the fly!" Don't be alarmed should you hear this phrase accompanied by smiling children running around, shrieking with excitement. "Swat the Fly" is just one of the many games the Active Early program introduces to child providers to get kids active and moving.

With the implementation of Wisconsin's Quality Improvement Rating System, YoungStar, a large amount of attention surrounds the education of child care providers as well as their business practices. While these areas are important, additional easy, affordable, and equally critical ways exist for child care programs to improve the lives of children and improve provider rating. One way providers are improving the healthy and well-being of children in their care is through the Active Early program.

Wisconsin's Active Early initiative encourages physical activity in early care and education to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent childhood obesity. Why is this important? Susie Reeck-Mathe from the Parenting Place in LaCrosse, formerly known as Family Resources, explains that, "Early childcare teachers have the ability to instill healthy eating habits and increase the level of physical activity while children are in their care." With children spending more than 30 hours per week in child care on average, providers play a crucial part in developing healthy habits in children.

Active Early equips providers with the resources necessary to make their program curriculum ensure the health and wellness of children. The initiative provided funding for twenty regulated family and child care sites around Wisconsin to administer the new Wisconsin Early Care and Education Wellness Resource Kit. The kit is designed to supply providers with low- or no cost strategies and resources to engage children 2-5 years of age with 120 minutes of fun and informative physical activity throughout the day. This activity includes movement during group time, transition time, and free play.

The Parenting Place is working to implement Active Early as a part of their trainings for YoungStar providers. Susie expands by saying, "Not only does Active Early involve increasing activity but it also looks at program policies, staff wellness and parent involvement." To address these areas, the Parenting Place recently held a two part training session where they presented background information on the growing concerns of childhood obesity and the need to promote physical activity in early childhood programs.

The providers have noted positive reactions from the children after introducing them to some of the new activities they learned at the training. Nancy Storkel, a Family Provider in Monroe County, who participated in the training in March 2011, shows her support of Early Active in saying:

I really do use a lot of the activities that I learned in this class. They really do love the float the duck. I get out a wading pool and put big and small ducks in it and boats. Fill up a tub of water or give them a sprinkler can and they run and play for an hour nonstop. I have to be the one to tell them to stop and take a water break.

The Active Early initiative works first and foremost to benefit the children of Wisconsin. It encourages program curriculum that actively engages children in working to prevent childhood obesity and lead a long, happy, and healthy life. At the same time, the initiative also serves providers by introducing them with innovative and simple ways to improve their YoungStar rating. So providers, get Active, Early!