In the largest global trial of its kind, researchers aim to boost children's active play by developing policy guidelines for physical activity in early childhood care.
The initiative comes as research shows more than eight in 10 young children (age 2-5 years) do not get enough activity for optimal growth and health.
To address this, the University of South Australia alongside Telethon Kids Institute in Western Australia is undertaking a joint initiative to get young Australian children (aged 2-5 years) more physically active while at early childhood education and care services (ECEC), such as day care and kindy.
The ‘Play Active’ program, backed by the Medical Research Future Fund, will see children wear colourful 'superhero belts' (accelerometers) to track activity over eight days, both at home and in care.
The program is currently being implemented in Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia, with the next phase involving the national dissemination and implementation Play Active across all Australian states and territories.
“Young children need to be active and involved in energetic play, every day,” UniSA researcher Kylie Dankiw said. “Not only is it fun, healthy, and great for their physical development, but it also helps improve attention, memory, and language development.”
Dankiw noted that many young children in Australia are not meeting recommended physical activity levels, posing significant risks to their long-term health and well-being.
“By working with early childhood educators and carers, we aim to ensure that all young Australian children have every opportunity to boost their physical activity levels and get excited by active play – whether in care or at home.”
Co-researcher, UniSA’s Prof Carol Maher, says the longer-term success of the Play Active initiative lies in standardised physical activity policies across early childhood education and care services nationwide.
“Australia’s early childhood educators are extremely committed to supporting the healthy growth and development of young children in their care,” Professor Maher said.
“But we need to appropriately support the sector – and the dedicated workers within it – to initiate positive change, and the grounding point is a nationwide activity policy.”
Professor Maher concluded: “By standardising physical activity policies nationwide will we consistently be able to foster healthier environments for young children and keep them buzzing with energy.”