PLAY Study

Currently, formal written physical activity policy is lacking in Canadian childcare centres. The purpose of the PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy pilot study was to explore the effects of implementing a written physical activity policy has on toddlers’ and preschoolers’ physical activity levels. This institutional level policy provides Early Childhood Educators with guidance on the appropriate daily physical activity, outdoor play, and (reduced) screen time affordances in childcare.

Szpunar, M., Bruijns, B. A., Vanderloo, L. M., Shelley, J., Burke, S. M., & Tucker, P. Development of a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Policy for Canadian Childcare Settings: A Delphi Study. Early Childhood Education Journal; 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01473-z
Szpunar, M., Driediger, M., Johnson, A.M., Vanderloo, L.M., Burke, S.M., Irwin, J.D., Shelley, J., & Tucker, P. 2021. Impact of the Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy on Young Children’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Time: A Pilot Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(14):7468. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147468
Szpunar, M., Johnson, A. M., Driediger, M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Shelley, J., Timmons, B. W., Vanderloo, L. M., & Tucker, P. (2022). Implementation Adherence and Perspectives of the Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy: A Process Evaluation. Health Education & Behavior, 49(1), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198121996285