title: Toddler activity intensity during indoor free-play: stand and watch.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Movement patterns among toddlers (16-36 months) differ from other early developmental periods; toddlers practice coordination, balance, and control. Toddler care environments may afford repetition of these emerging skills. This study examined intensity and type of movements during free-play indoors in child care among toddlers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample (n, 41; mean, 26.5 months) was observed for intensity of physical activity (PA), motor activity type, activity context, and teacher prompts in center-based care using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity for Children-Preschool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent PA intensity level was sedentary with limb movement. No significant gender differences emerged. Standing, sitting/squatting, and walking were the most frequent activity types. Dominant activity contexts included fine motor manipulative, self-care, and onlooking. Logistic regression results indicated that onlooking significantly decreased the odds of moderate to vigorous PA. Teachers offered few prompts to increase PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Toddlers demonstrate predominantly sedentary behaviors during free-play. Further observational research across the entire day is warranted to accurately assess intensity and teacher's support for moderate to vigorous PA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Electronic address: fees@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Bronwyn S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fees
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
authors.forename: Elexa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haar
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Crowe
mesh_terms: D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010988:Play and Playthings
keywords: child care centers; motor activity; play; toddlers