Early Childhood Education Linkage System / Healthy Child Care
Pennsylvania
PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Rose Tree Corporate Center II, Suite 3007
1400 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 484-444-3003; Fax: 484-446-3255; e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org
February 2015
Dear Early Learning Practitioner,
Thank you for selecting this self-learning module about active play. By using the information in the
module, you can promote physical activity and reduce the risk of injury for children. The module has six
objectives:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Describe the importance of vigorous active play for young children.
Understand the ways children get hurt during active play.
Describe levels of risk during active play.
Recognize common play area hazards and how to correct them.
Explain the role of adult supervision during active play.
Assess your active play area and make an action play to correct hazards.
This module addresses the following Core Knowledge Competencies:
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
K7.3 C3 Evaluate implementation of heath and fitness activities as part of the daily curriculum, and
develop a plan for expanding activities based on current best practices.
K7.8 C2 Use knowledge of health and safety standards and practices to reduce hazards in the program’s
indoor and outdoor environments.
This module meets PA Keystone STAR 2 Performance Standard requirement for two (2) hours of annual
professional development for health and safety. To receive state-approved professional development
credit:
1. Review the Assessment and Implementation Questions. Before you complete the Learning
Activities for the module, take a look at the Assessment and Implementation Questions you need
to submit for review to obtain professional development credit. It includes multiple choice and
implementation questions. Knowing what you will be asked may help you find the necessary
information as you complete the Learning Activities. The Assessment and Implementation
Questions must be completed independently and submitted by each practitioner requesting
credit.
2. Complete the Learning Activities.
PA child care practitioners may submit the Assessment and Implementation Questions for review for
credit using an electronic response form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHKPXDJ
After you complete the module, submit the Assessment and Implementation Questions. By submitting
your responses you verify completion of the learning activities and assess your understanding of key
content.
ECELS/Healthy Child Care PA; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2/2015
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Early Childhood Education Linkage System / Healthy Child Care
Pennsylvania
PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Rose Tree Corporate Center II, Suite 3007
1400 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 484-444-3003; Fax: 484-446-3255; e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org
Submit your responses one of the following ways:
1. Online ECELS Active Play Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHKPXDJ
If more than one staff member is seeking credit for completing the Active Play module, each
person must complete the survey independently.
2. Surface mail, fax or email the Assessment and Implementation Questions to ECELS.
Follow the instructions on the ECELS website Self-Learning Module page. These instructions are located
at www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org Select “Professional Development/Training” on the main menu
bar, then “Self-Learning Modules.” Review the information in the box with the heading “Important
Reminders.”
ECELS staff will review your work and, if needed, offer help to complete the module successfully. If you
have questions, please contact the ECELS office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 484-4463003 or 800-243-2357. ECELS will approve (2) hours of professional development credit for each person
who successfully completes the module. After ECELS approves your credit, we will send you an email
with instructions to complete the PA Key Evaluation Form. Once you complete the PA Key Evaluation
Form, the PA Key will award your credit and send you email notification to view your completed Courses
in the tab My Transcript. Processing takes approximately 3-6 weeks after submission of required
documentation.
If you need help with this module, or have questions about the material, call the ECELS office 1-800-2432357 toll free in PA or 484-446-3003 or email [email protected].
Sincerely,
Susan Aronson, MD, FAAP
Libby Ungvary, MEd
ECELS Pediatric Advisor
ECELS Director
Costs for the development and 2014 update of this module have been underwritten by Pennsylvania’s
Office of Child Development and Early Learning,
ECELS/Healthy Child Care PA; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2/2015
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ECELS Active Play Self - Learning Module
Learning Activities
1) View the Safe Active Play Videos. Click on the link or paste each link below into web browser.
The videos contain the assessment questions at the end of each section. You will need to answer these
questions and the implementation questions using the electronic survey or sending a hard copy to ECELS.
Safe Active Play Part 1 A Covers:
 Introduction
 Risky Practices
 Weather
 Natural Play Environments
 How Children Get Hurt
 Your Role as an Early Childhood Educator
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecels-media/modules/activeplay/1A/SafeActivePlay-1A.htm
Safe Active Play Part 1 B Covers:
 Surfacing
 Indoor Play
 General Use Zones & Use Zones for Specific Equipment
 Evaluating Surfacing and Use Zones
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecels-media/modules/activeplay/1B/SAP2-1-B.htm
Safe Active Play Part 2 A Covers:
 Layout & Equipment Spacing
 Age Appropriate Equipment & Unsafe Equipment
 Trip Hazards
 Crush/Shearing
 Entanglement & Impalement
 Head Entrapment
 Responding to Hazards
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecels-media/modules/activeplay/2A/SAP2-2-A.htm
Safe Active Play Part 2 B Covers:
 Platforms, Guardrails & Protective Barriers
 Ramps, Stairways & Ladders
 Supervision
 Design and Installation
 Maintenance
 Inspecting a Playground
 Summary & Wrap Up
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecels-media/modules/activeplay/2B/SAP2-2-B.htm
ECELS/Healthy Child Care PA; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2/2015
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2) Review the Playground Solutions document posted in the website description of this module.
3) Review the document “Active Supervision” available on the Head Start website:
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/center/safety-injury-prevention/safe-healthyenvironments/active-supervision.pdf
4) Assess your active play areas, indoors and outdoors the following tools:
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
America’s Playgrounds – Safety Report Card available at
http://cfoc.nrckids.org/WebFiles/AppendicesUpload/AppendixEE.pdf
Depth Required for Shock Absorbing Surfacing
http://cfoc.nrckids.org/WebFiles/AppendicesUpload/AppendixZ.pdf
If you identify any areas that need correction, document them on the Assessment and Implementation
Questions sheet.
5) Use the policy template from Model Child Care Health Policies 5th edition to review,
update or create your physical activity and play area safety check policy at
http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/publications/manuals-pamphlets-policies
Scroll to Model Child Care Health Policies. Review Section 5 Physical Activity and Screen
Time and Section 8B Hazard/Safety Checks and Corrective Actions. If you already have a
policy, compare it to the Model Child Care Health Policies sections. Send a copy of your
policy to ECELS and explain how you will improve your policies to reflect Model Child Care
Health Policies. You may use the PDF version or the form field version that allows
entering specific information for your center that can be saved as a document on your computer.
Model Child Care Health Policies contains the following policies:
 Encouragement of large muscle play
• Daily routines, equipment and settings
• Required clothing and footwear, supervision, teacher participation
• Types and plans for active play
• Appendix O: Daily and Monthly Playground Inspection and Maintenance Form
• Appendix P: A form to schedule staff supervision for active play
To purchase a printed copy of Model Child Care Health Policies, go to the American Academy of
Pediatrics bookstore at www.aap.org.
Well done! You have completed the learning activities in the module. The next step is to complete the
Assessment and Implementation Questions. Refer back to page 1 of this module and follow the instructions.
ECELS/Healthy Child Care PA; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2/2015
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Active Play Resources
Caring for Our Children Standards: National Health and Safety Performance
Standards, Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Ed.
http://cfoc.nrckids.org/StandardView/6 Play Areas/Playgrounds and Transportation
http://nrckids.org/default/assets/File/PreventingChildhoodObesity2nd.pdf
CDC Playground Injuries Fact Sheet: (Paste this link into your browser)
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/PlaygroundInjuries/playgroundinjuries-factsheet.htm
CPSC Playground Safety Handbook
http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/122149/325.pdf
CPSC Playground Alerts
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Sports-Fitness-and-Recreation/Playground-Safety/
ECELS - Daily and Monthly Playground Maintenance Form
ECELS - Active Play Safety Checklist & Planning Tool
ECELS - Active Play Checklist of Environment Rating Scale Items
www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/tools/checklists
ECELS - Playground Equipment Sign Recommendations
www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/tools/posters
Let’s Move Child Care
http://www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org/
National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)
http://playgroundsafety.org/
Playground safety information on standards, products and education. The S.A.F.E Curriculum focuses on
Supervision, Age-Appropriate Design, Fall Surfacing and Equipment Maintenance.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
www.nrpa.org/cpsi 800.626.NRPA (6772)
Access a list of Pennsylvania’s Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSIs). Click on the Registry link. Fill in
only the state first to obtain the most comprehensive state list. You may refine the search as needed by adding
other information. Contact the NRPA with questions concerning certified inspectors.
►Dirty Dozen Brochure - The Top 12 Safety Hazards in America’s Playgrounds
http://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Professional_Development/Certification/CPSI/Dirty-DozenPlayground-Hazards.pdf
ECELS/Healthy Child Care PA; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2/2015
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