Physical Activity

Promoting Physical Activity through Education & Professional Development

Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future ensures that local ECE providers have access to customized training sessions, ongoing technical assistance, and networking opportunities with other early childhood organizations. This collaborative effort aims to create sustainable systems change, promoting active play and healthy habits among young children throughout Alabama.  

Physical Activity Learning Sessions (PALS)

PALS (Physical Activity Learning Sessions) is a training series from Nemours Children’s Health for early care and education (ECE) programs focused on evidence-based practices for physical activity in ECE settings. This training series promotes interpersonal skills and is often presented in an in-person setting, allowing child care professionals to have rich discussions and participate in interactive activities throughout the training series.

PALS includes five 60-90 minute training sessions that discuss:

• The Importance of Physical Activity in Early Childhood

• Physical Activity Recommendations for Young Children

• Guidance for Implementing Physical Activity in ECE Settings

• And more!

ECE programs interested in receiving the PALS training series can receive the training directly from AL Healthy Kids, Healthy Future staff, or an affiliated trainer in their region. If you or your ECE program is interested in completing the PALS training series, please reach out to us. 

Learn more about the PALS training series.

Professionals serving early childhood educators are eligible to become trained as a PALS trainer. To learn more, visit the Trainers Resource Page.

Yogapalooza from Bari Koral

Yogapalooza, created by Bari Koral, is a program for early care and education (ECE) programs and trainers that focuses on implementing yoga (otherwise known as mindful movement) and mindfulness in the classroom. This program utilizes Bari Koral’s popular kids’ yoga music, videos, and materials to assist educators and trainers in encouraging positive coping strategies and self-regulation skills while keeping children active throughout the childcare day.

Yogapalooza is implemented across Alabama through professional development trainings and in-person technical assistance, ensuring that ECE professionals receive tailored guidance and resources on integrating this form of physical activity into the daily routines of their program.