I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) is a Head Start physical activity and nutrition initiative for preschool children. It is designed to enhance what programs already do to support children and families. IMIL seeks to increase the quantity of time children spend in physical activity during daily routines and improve the quality of their physical movement experiences. IMIL also teaches children about healthy nutrition choices.
Physical activity is beneficial to any age group and helps people feel better, function better, and sleep better. Enhancing opportunities for physical activity in early childhood can foster children’s physical and emotional development, increase their protective factors against chronic disease, and build a foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
IMIL supports school readiness skills with strategies and activities for:
- Designing active learning environments
- Developing movement skills and concepts
- Planning for repetition and variation of practice of motor skills
- Facilitating self-regulation, body management, and executive function skills
- Supporting early learning across all components of curriculum
IMIL provides a framework for action that Head Start programs can follow as they design innovative policies, practices, and environments that support physical activity and healthy nutrition. This initiative can elevate programs’ standards of excellence, to improve the health and well-being of all staff and the children and families they serve.
Moving with the Brain in Mind
Learn how movement activities can support brain development and learning in this two-part course available on the Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio.
Nutrition Building Blocks
Learn important nutrition messages and activities to help young children build a lifetime of healthy eating practices in this video and online course.
I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL): Training Participants
IMIL inspires Head Start staff to incorporate more physical activity, quality movement, and nutrition experiences into their programs. Watch this short video to hear about the training experience from IMIL training participants.
I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL): Trainers
Watch this video to learn about I Am Moving, I Am Learning. It's a rewarding training experience Head Start staff can use to incorporate physical activity and movement into their programs.
IMIL's Unique Approach for Active Learning
Learn about IMIL's innovative approach for increasing physical activity, healthy nutrition choices, and quality teaching in early childhood settings.
IMIL Resources
Use these resources to support physical activity and nutrition. They can help staff who have limited space and budgets, and busy adults who are looking for high-quality enhancements for what they already do to support healthy habits. The materials are available in English and Spanish.
Last Updated: August 29, 2023