Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute

 

What is the Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute (ECPAI)?

Be Active Kids has teamed up with Dr. Diane Craft of Active Play Books and other international, national and local experts in the fields of Health, Physical Activity, Recreation, Physical Education, Play, Nature, and Community Environments to provide an extensive physical activity training experience to individuals working with child care providers, preschool teachers or others who interact with large groups of young children on a regular basis.

 

Why the need for the Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute:

Concern 1:  Lack of knowledge about and comfort with physical activity

  • Solution 1:  To provide participants with ongoing knowledge and skills needed to transfer developmentally appropriate physical activity and movement experiences to early childhood educators
  • Solution 2: To provide hands-on experience teaching and playing with preschool children


Concern 2:  Lack of opportunities and financial support to learn from the best

  • Solution 3:  To provide access to international, national, and local experts that may be otherwise inaccessible to various parts of North Carolina

 


Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute (ECPAI) Outcomes

  • Increase knowledge about physical activity, motor skills, movement concepts, and active play for young children (All Participants)

  • Increase teaching/training skills to transfer developmentally appropriate physical activity strategies to child care providers (Alumni and 15 New Candidates)

  • Increase participation in various types of physical activity experiences (Alumni and 15 New Candidates)

  • Demonstrate the use of new knowledge and skills by providing regular physical activity experiences to child care providers, directors, or parents (a minimum of one within the following six months)  (Alumni and 15 New Candidates)

 

 

 

  


 

 

 

 

    

Testimonials

  • Preservice Teachers Learn to Use Be Active Kids in Limited Spaces

    I really enjoyed our class meeting. It was interesting to discover that you can do just about anything with children in the classroom where there may not be much space to encourage them to be active.  A change that I will make in my own life is to be more active, as well as my daughter. I will share this information with my friends that have children such as yoga animals, or Simon Says.

    Cathy Sesta, Parent & Child Care Provider
  • Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute

    Thank you for inviting me to be part of this year’s Institute. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the experience. You’re doing amazing work and I hope I’ll be able to continue contributing to it a bunch in the future.

    Rae Pica, www.movingandlearning.com
  • Plenty of Resources That I Can Use and Share

    This class was informative, and I look forward to being physically active with young children. On Friday, I volunteered at a Parents Night Out through my daughter's school. When I got there the kids were watching a movie. I got them up to play Simon Says and Red Light Green Light, however, after that I was stuck on what to do. I wish I had the knowledge I gained from this class, to have made it more exciting.

    I enjoyed your Land and Lake Activity.

    Venessa Wright, Parent & Child Care Provider
  • Be Active Kids Trainers Rock!

    I loved the training.  I would have loved it more if I had the other teachers from my center there also.  I am really looking forward to taking my kit to work and sharing it with my staff.  I liked Brittney, she reminded me of myself as far as being very active and motivated.  When I am at work with my little ones we stay busy all day.  I feel like singing my instructions and dancing my actions helps them to focus better on what I need for them to do.  Britney was great and I learned a lot from her. I am always trying to find new little ways to get the kids moving.

    Tiffany Daniel, Sandhill Community College
  • ECPAI

    The Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute was just wonderful!  Thank you again for including me in such an important effort to create and sustain leaders in EC physical activity. I would love to return to NC anytime that you think I can help. I enjoyed meeting the folks who work with you and hearing about all of the great things that are planned. 

    Linda Carson, Choosy Kids
  • Be Active Kids has Much to Offer

    Congratulations to you and everyone who has been promoting PA for young
    children in NC. You have much to be proud of here. Be Active Kids is an excellent source of ideas for promoting active play in unstructured settings. The Be Active Kids website also has resources on promoting unstructured active play. I encourage folks to review these resources. 

    Diane Craft, SUNY Cortland & Active Play Books