ERIC Number: EJ1484566
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Dec
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1976-5681
EISSN: EISSN-2288-6729
Available Date: 2025-09-22
24-Hour Movement Behaviours and Considerations of Disability: An Updated Review of Child Care Legislation in Canada
Leigh M. Vanderloo1,2; Alexandra A. Puchiele3; Brianne A. Bruijns1; Sarah Carsley4,5; Patricia Tucker1,6,7
International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, v19 Article 18 2025
Introduction: Child care is the primary environment in which many young children spend their time outside the family in Canada, and as such, plays an important role in supporting healthy movement behaviours. This population, including children with a disability, is consistently noted to attend child care and report lower rates of meeting movement behaviour recommendations. This updated review aimed to re-examine the provincial/territorial legislature in relation to physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviours (SB; screen time), and sleep, while also examining the inclusion of children with a disability therein. Methods: Child care acts and regulations for each province/territory were collected and reviewed with a focus on PA, SB (screen time), play, outdoor time, sleep, and inclusion/disability. Comparisons across provinces/territories were conducted identifying frequencies and commonalities within the regulations. Results: All provinces/territories provide general recommendations to afford gross motor movement; but the majority (83%) give no specific requirements for how long or at what intensity. Only 4 provinces (British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nova Scotia) explicitly mentioned PA, while all required daily outdoor play. British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Quebec mentioned SB, with the latter two explicitly noting no screen time. Only British Columbia referenced the 24-Hour Movement Behaviour Guidelines. Five provinces/territories mentioned children with disabilities in their legislation (but only three spoke specifically to inclusion regarding movement behaviours). Conclusion: Variability in child care legislation specific to movement behaviours was observed. Providing high-level targets for movement behaviours by way of provincial/territorial legislation would give child care staff a baseline from which to begin supporting more active behaviours among all enrolled children. Moreover, there was no guidance offered for meaningful inclusion of children with disabilities. Future research is needed to support translating PA policies into improved movement behaviours among all young children in child care, including children with disabilities.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, State Legislation, Physical Activities, Movement Education, Inclusion, Disabilities, Child Care, Sleep, Play, Children
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Western Ontario, School of Occupational Therapy, London, Canada; 2ParticipACTION, Toronto, Canada; 3University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, Canada; 4Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; 5University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada; 6Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Canada; 7Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada

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