Early Learning and Childcare Link
Physical Activity
Inside this issue:
How much physical activity do children under 5
years old need to do to keep healthy?
Being physically active every day is important for the
healthy growth and development of babies, toddlers and
pre-schoolers.
For this age group, activity of any intensity should be
encouraged, including light activity and more energetic
physical activity.
Babies: Babies should be encouraged to be active from
birth. Before your baby begins to crawl, encourage them
to be physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling
and pushing, moving their head, body and limbs
during daily routines, and during supervised floor
play, including tummy time.
Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as
active as possible in a safe, supervised and nurturing play
environment.
Toddlers: Children who can walk on their own should
be physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (3
hours). This should be spread throughout the day,
indoors or outside.
The 180 minutes can include light activity such as
standing up, moving around, rolling and playing, as well
as more energetic activity like skipping, hopping, running
and jumping.
Active play, such as using a climbing frame, riding a bike,
playing in water, chasing games and ball games, is the
best way for this age group to be physically active.
All children under 5 years old
Children under 5 should not be inactive for long periods,
except when they're asleep. Watching TV, travelling by
car, bus or train or being strapped into a buggy for long
periods are not good for a child’s health and development.
There's growing evidence that such behaviour can
increase their risk of poor health.
All children under 5 who are overweight can improve
their health by meeting the activity guidelines, even if
Physical Activity
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Triple P
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Ages and Stages
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Recipe & Song
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Craft
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their weight doesn't change. To achieve and
maintain a healthy weight, they may need to
do additional activity and make changes to their
diet.
What counts as light activity for children?
Light activity for children includes a range of
activities such as:
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standing up
moving around
walking at a slow pace
less energetic play
What counts as energetic activity for
children?
Examples of energetic activities suitable for most
children who can walk on their own include:
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active play (such as hide and seek and stuck
in the mud)
Celebrate with … action!
fast walking
Instead of a sugary cake,
riding a bike
celebrate milestones with an
active family activity, such as a
dancing
hike, swimming excursion or
swimming
volleyball game. This is one
climbing
way you can begin to build
activity into your family’s
skipping rope
lifestyle.
gymnastics
Energetic activity for children will make kids
“huff and puff” and can include organised
activities, like dance and gymnastics. Any sort of
active play will usually include bursts of energetic
activity.
By: NHS Choices
The Benefits of Regular Activity
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Builds strong bones and strengthens muscles
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Maintains flexibility
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Achieves a healthy weight
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Promotes good posture and balance
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Improves fitness
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Meet new friends
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Strengthens the heart
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Improves physical self-esteem
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Increases relaxation
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Enhances healthy growth and development
Why Do Children Interrupt?
Most preschoolers feel that what they are saying is
very important and others should stop and listen,
Sometimes children want to speak straight away
because they think they may forget what they want
to say if they have to wait. Many preschoolers just
find it hard to share their parents’ attention with
others.
Sometimes parents expect too much and talk to
others for longer than preschoolers can be
expected to keep themselves occupied. If children
do not get attention when they interrupt politely,
they may learn to interrupt loudly and rudely to get
attention.
As your child learns to occupy themselves and get
your attention in an acceptable way, you will not
need to remind them of the rules, rewards and
consequences each time you are busy doing
something. Even though you will discuss the rules
less often, they will still apply. Use consequences
consistently if the rules are broken. Gradually
make rewards less predictable by giving them
every now and then. Continue to praise your child
for keeping themselves occupied when you are
busy, and getting your attention in an acceptable
way.
Upcoming Network Meeting
Home Study Course in
Food Safety
June 11, 2013
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Join us at Chestermere Town Hall to participate in our Home Study Course in Food
Safety! This course can be taken by anyone who prepares food including people working
in food businesses, daycares, long term care facilities, volunteers, and those who cook at
home. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will be awarded a Home Study
Course Certificate!
Please call (403) 207-7060 by June 7, 2013 to register
Refreshments included!
The Wonders of Ages and Stages
What is the Ages and Stages
Questionnaire?
Why is it important to monitor
your child’s development?
A series of questionnaires designed to help you
monitor your child’s physical, intellectual, and
emotional development at regular intervals from 2
-60 months.
You find out your child’s strengths as
well as any areas where your child may
need support
You learn fun, new, age appropriate
activities to encourage your child to
play, move around and practice
day-to-day skills
What is the Ages and Stages
Social-Emotional Questionnaire?
Focuses exclusively on emotional and social
development; your child’s ability to calm him/her
self, interact with others, and adapt to new and
varying situations.
Early detection of developmental delays
supports healthy development with the
help of professionals
Brownies on a Stick
Instructions
IINGREDIENTS
Six Little Ducks
Six little ducks that I once knew,
Fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones too
But the one little duck with the feathers on
his back
He led the other with a quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
He led the others with a quack quack quack
Down to the river they would go
Wibble wobble wibble wobble to and fro
But the one little duck with the feathers on
his back
He led the other with a quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
He led the others with a quack quack quack
Home from the river they would go
Wibble wobble wibble wobble ho ho hum
But the one little duck with the feathers on
his back
He led the others with a quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
Quack quack quack
He led the others with a quack quack quack
1 box(1 lb)
Betty Crocker®
Original Supreme
Premium brownie
mix
• 15 craft sticks
• 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate
chips
• 1 1/2 teaspoons
shortening
• Sprinkles!
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1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or
non-stick pan). Line 8-inch or 9-inch
square pan with foil so foil extends
about 2 inches over sides of pan.
Spray foil with cooking spray. Make
brownies as directed on box. Cool
completely, about 1 hour.
2. Place brownies in freezer for 30
minutes. Remove brownies from pan
by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of
brownies. Cut brownies into 15
rectangular bars, 5 rows by 3 rows.
Gently insert craft stick into end of
each bar, peeling foil from bars. Place
on cookie sheet; freeze 30 minutes.
3. In small microwavable bowl,
microwave chocolate chips and
shortening uncovered on High about 1
minute; stir until smooth. If necessary,
microwave additional 5 seconds at a
time. Dip top 1/3 to 1/2 of each
brownie into chocolate; sprinkle with
candy sprinkles. Lay flat on waxed
paper or foil to dry.
For more information on the
Parent Link Newsletter or
Childcare in your area contact:
PROVIDED BY:
(403)207-7060
Chestermere Municipal Office
105 Marina Road
Chestermere, AB
403-207-7060
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
What you need:
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A large, open pine cone
Vegetable shortening, lard or suet
Oats or corn meal
Bird seed
A few feet of string
How to make it:
Tie a few feet of string to a pine cone. Cover the pine
cone with the mixture below. Roll the pine cone in bird
seed and then suspend it from a tree branch outside.
Food Mixture: Mix 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, lard
or suet with 2 1/2 cups cornmeal or un-cooked oats until well blended. Optional: add dried fruit
(chopped up), chopped nuts, seeds (especially sunflower and millet), and/ or suet, which are
high-energy bird foods.
Watch the birds enjoy their new treat!
What’s wrong with this picture?
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On average, 8- to 18-year-olds spend 4 hours a day watching TV, videos, DVDs and pre-recorded shows; more
than 1 hour on the computer; and almost 1 hour playing video games
• 2 out of every 3 kids have a TV in their bedrooms
Kids who have TVs in their rooms spend almost 1 ½ hours or more a day watching TV than kids who don’t have
a TV in their room
Looking for more information?
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http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/birdfeeders/pineconefeederprint.shtml
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/brownies-on-a-stick/d03cb0c5-d1d2-4d6c-ada9
-0831f47613f6
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/exercise-fitness/exercise
-basics/keeping-your-child-active.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-forchildren.aspx
http://www.seymourhealth.ca/_downloads/Canada's%20Physical%20Activity%
20Guide_Children.pdf