Well-trained and caring providers can help children participate in and enjoy physical activities. Providers need the following to conduct physical activity education:
- Instruction in physical education
- Training in leading physical activities appropriate for the developmental stages of children
- Materials (e.g., balls, mats and wheeled toys) that help to add physical activity to the program
- Formal training in ways to help children with disabilities join in physical activities, including the use of adaptive strategies and classroom equipment
Building partnerships with families through education is important in communicating and promoting healthy physical activity habits. Parent education includes:
- Sharing information about physical activity and screen time policies when they enroll their children
- Incorporating physical activity messaging into activities and resources shared with families
- Offering physical activity and screen time education to families
- Communicating about cultures, customs and special needs