Toddler Activity Intensity During Indoor Free-Play: Stand and Watch

Abstract Objective Movement patterns among toddlers (16–36 months) differ from other early developmental periods; toddlers practice coordination, balance, and control. Toddler care environments may afford repetition of these emerging skills. This study examined intensity and type of movements during...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2015-03, Vol.47 (2), p.170-175
Main Authors: Fees, Bronwyn S., PhD, Fischer, Elexa, MS, Haar, Sherry, PhD, Crowe, Linda K., PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child care
child care centers
Child Day Care Centers
Child, Preschool
Female
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Gender Differences
Health behavior
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
motor activity
Motor Activity - physiology
Movement
Physical Activities
Physical fitness
Play and Playthings
Preschool children
Preschool teachers
Toddlers
Young Children
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Summary:Abstract Objective Movement patterns among toddlers (16–36 months) differ from other early developmental periods; toddlers practice coordination, balance, and control. Toddler care environments may afford repetition of these emerging skills. This study examined intensity and type of movements during free-play indoors in child care among toddlers. Methods A convenience sample (n, 41; mean, 26.5 months) was observed for intensity of physical activity (PA), motor activity type, activity context, and teacher prompts in center-based care using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity for Children–Preschool. Results The most frequent PA intensity level was sedentary with limb movement. No significant gender differences emerged. Standing, sitting/squatting, and walking were the most frequent activity types. Dominant activity contexts included fine motor manipulative, self-care, and onlooking. Logistic regression results indicated that onlooking significantly decreased the odds of moderate to vigorous PA. Teachers offered few prompts to increase PA. Conclusions and Implications Toddlers demonstrate predominantly sedentary behaviors during free-play. Further observational research across the entire day is warranted to accurately assess intensity and teacher's support for moderate to vigorous PA.
ISSN:1499-4046
1878-2620
1708-8259
DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2014.08.015