EYP 10: Support babies and young children to be physically active
The Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner includes various units designed to equip practitioners with the skills and knowledge necessary to support children’s development. One such unit is EYP 10: Support Babies and Young Children to be Physically Active. This unit is particularly important in health and social care because physical activity is vital for the growth and development of young children.
Engaging babies and young children in physical activities helps to develop their motor skills, strength, coordination, and overall physical health. It encourages healthy growth patterns, builds strong bones and muscles, and helps maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, regular physical activity can positively influence sleep patterns, mood, and cognitive development, laying the groundwork for healthier lifestyles as children grow.
Early Years Practitioners play a key role in promoting physical activity by creating an environment where children can explore, play, and be active. This includes organising age-appropriate activities that encourage movement, such as crawling, walking, climbing, and running. Practitioners also model active behaviour and provide guidance to help children understand the importance of staying active.
Supporting physical activity isn’t just about structured exercise; it’s about integrating movement into everyday routines and making it enjoyable. By doing so, practitioners help children develop a lifelong positive attitude towards physical activity, which is essential for their long-term health and well-being. This unit equips practitioners with the knowledge and strategies to encourage physical activity effectively, making a significant impact on children’s overall development.
Units and Answers
1. Understand babies and young children’s need to be physically active
- 1.1 Outline the benefits to babies and young children of being physically active
- 1.2 Explain the impacts of lack of adequate physical activity on babies and young children’s health, development and wellbeing in the: short-term, long-term
- 1.3 Refer to the current guidance for early years and explain why it is important for babies and young children to be physically active
- 1.4 Describe benefits of working in partnership with parents/carers in relation to supporting babies and young children’s physical activity
2. Be able to support babies and young children to be physically active in an indoor and outdoor space
- 2.1 Plan activities which support babies and young children’s physical activity in an indoor and outdoor space
- 2.2 Encourage babies and young children to be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors
- 2.3 Reflect on activities which support babies and young children’s physical activity in an indoor and outdoor space in an Early Years Setting
3. Be able to support physical activity in an Early Years Setting
