Infants: Birth through 11 months

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The recommended amount of time infants, toddlers, and preschoolers should engage in physical activity is largely dependent upon age.​  

It  is  important  for  infants  to have  the  opportunity  to  explore  their environments,  build  strength  and  increase  body awareness  through  tummy  time.  Supervised  free  play  on  their  tummies  in  open  and  safe places encourages infants to explore, touch and feel the world around them.​

Recommendations are that infants should participate in physical activity totaling at least 60 minutes per day. Supervised tummy time daily when awake beginning with short periods of time (3–5 minutes), increasing time as they show they enjoy the activity. Daily planned physical activities that safely support the infant’s developmental milestones are recommended (e.g. head and neck self-support, rolling, floor sitting, kicking, crawling, reaching and grasping for objects, etc.) Outdoor time 2–3 times a day, as tolerated, in a safe setting supervised by an adult. Large, open, safe play surfaces and appropriate equipment should be provided in every infant room to promote free movement and physical activity: rattles, balls, simple cause and effect toys, etc.

While awake, infants should spend less than 15 minutes at a time in confining equipment.

​Examples:

• Swings
• Bouncy chairs
• Car seats
• Strollers

Sample Policies for Programs: Birth through 11 months old

1. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and to encourage optimal motor development, this program will plan engaging activities for Tummy Time with all infants at least 2-3 times per day while the child is awake. The staff will respond promptly to cues for frustration, boredom or fatigue.
2. To promote lifelong physical activity, this program will provide planned daily physical activity that is safe, engaging and appropriate for each child to safely support their physical development and health.
3. All infants and children will be provided outdoor time daily. Children will go outside when the temperatures are above 15º F (including wind chill factor) and below 90ºF. Outdoor time will be limited to 20-30 min when temperatures are between 16-32º F.
4. To support infant development, swings, bouncy chairs and other confining equipment (except high chairs and strollers) will not be used in the infant classroom at any time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we have to get infants on their tummies?
Don’t experts recommend that babies stay on their backs? While infants are asleep or not supervised by adults, infants should be placed on their backs to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, babies should be placed on their tummies daily to play while awake and supervised by an adult. Tummy time builds strength and coordination needed to reach physical development milestones. Researchers have found that infants who spend more time on their backs while awake had lower gross motor skills than those who spend time on their tummies.

​What is wrong with infant bouncy seats, swings, strollers and equipment like that?
Don’t exercise saucers help babies get physical activity? Research has shown that infants who overuse confining equipment, including exercise saucers, may experience delayed motor skill development. Therefore, restricting or not allowing use of confining infant equipment is important to promote the best physical development of infants in your care. Your infant will learn the most about her body and how it works in the real world, if she is free to explore the environment and learn from her experiences.

​Why no infant walkers?
Research has shown a large risk of major and minor injury and even death from the use of infant walkers, and walkers have not been shown by research to help children learn to walk. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of infant walkers. If you or a parent insists on using a mobile infant walker, it is vital that they choose a walker that meets the performance standards of ASTM F977-96 to prevent falls down stairs.

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Physical Development
3. Benefits of Physical Activity
4. Infants: Birth through 11 months
5. Infants and Toddlers 
6. Toddlers: 1 through 2 years old
7. Preschoolers: 3 through 5 years 
8. Active Playtime
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9. Discussion: Activity (1/5)
10. Structured Physical Activities
​11. Outdoor Active Play
12. Gross Motor Activities (2/5)
13. Limit Inactive Time
14. Physical Activity Indoors
15. Physical Indoors (3/5)
16. Supporting Physical Activity
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17. Environments that Promote 
18. Promoting Motor Development 
19. Promoting Fine Motor Skills (4/5)
20. Consider All Children
21. Special Needs
22. More Inclusive Environment
23. End of Course Quiz (5/5)
​24. End of Course Evaluation
Parking Lot