Philosophy
The Centre’s philosophy is developed in consultation with parents and staff as a collaborative body to determine the needs of children attending the centre and developing ways to meet those needs. The Philosophy is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure current trends in the Child Care Industry are being maintained.
The centers philosophy is based around the concept that children learn through play. Children are number 1 in the centre and the facilities and philosophy have been designed around allowing children to be children.
We believe that we should emphasise and recognize the family, the individual ability and skill of each child and the richness of the environment and natural surroundings.
We believe it is of utmost importance to nurture and educate the children in our care through the development of trust, security and loving relationships.
Our philosophy is founded on the knowledge that early childhood development focuses on the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and aesthetic development of the individual child.
Why call a centre Free Range Kids?
We believe children need fresh air, exercise and physical activity to keep their bodies and minds fit and healthy. Free Range children are those who are encouraged to pursue a physically active lifestyle and have available to them an environment which encourages this. Our centre does not have media or technological activities for children as we believe children can learn from spending active time outdoors.
Physical activity and children A Statement of Importance and Call to Action from the Heart Foundation
Written by Trevor Shilton and Geraldine Naughton, National Physical Activity Program Committee, National Heart Foundation of Australia, April 2001.
Statement of Importance
Physical activity provides health benefits for children
- Physical activity throughout life provides important protection from developing coronary artery disease.
- Physically active people live longer, have better managed weight, lower blood pressure and healthier cholesterol levels.
- Physical activity is important for healthy growth and development of the cardiorespiratory system as well as bones and muscles of children.
- Physical activity has mental and social health benefits and active people are likely to feel more confident, happy, relaxed and be able to sleep better.
Physical activity provides broader community benefits
Engaging children and young people in enjoyable and positive physical activity may also make a contribution to broader social and community goals including:
- Social skill development;
- Improved sense of community belonging, identity and cohesion (social capital).
Early prevention is important
Physical activity behaviour patterns are established early in life. There is some evidence that active children are more likely to become active adults.
How much physical activity is recommended?
- Children should be active every day in as many ways as they can, through play, transport and recreation.
- Additional benefits can be gained from structured moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity such as sport, physical education, dance or planned activity for three or more sessions of twenty minutes or more per week.
The challenge of growing sedentariness
Australian children are exposed to a growing range of sedentary alternatives to physical activities. These include:
- Television
- Videos
- Computer games
- The internet
- Homework and additional tutoring
- All of these can compete with time for spontaneous or planned physical activity.
Physical activity data for Australian children are not systematically collected at a national level. However, the high prevalence of insufficient physical activity in adults (43%), coupled with high rates of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 10–17 years (21% for boys and 23% for girls), gives rise to major concern.
A responsibility for everyone
Our children must be the focus of renewed efforts to increase population levels of physical activity, and in helping prevent the alarming rise in overweight and obesity evident in Australian adults. While parents and schools have a special role, this is a responsibility that can be shared by the entire community.
Parents can:
- Model active behaviour by being active and limiting their own sedentary behaviours.
- Support their children to be active in as many ways as they can every day through play, transport (walking and cycling), games, fun outdoor activities and everyday tasks.
- Support and encourage participation in active play, recreation and sports on most days.
- Be active with their children (especially cycling and walking).
- Encourage and support walking and cycling to school.
- Think of active alternatives when you hear "I’m bored".
- Restrict sedentary ‘down time’ by discussing limiting (controlling or rationing) sedentary and solitary activities such as television, videos, and computer games.
- Incorporate physical activities into family outings.
- Work with their children’s school to increase physical activity opportunities via a high priority on health promotion policies and practices.