NCPEID: Preschoolers Can Receive APE: What Every Educator Should Know (Policy & Advocacy Episode 2)

Greetings! I’m Melissa Bittner, Chair of NCPEID’s Policy and Advocacy Committee. This video is part of our ongoing outreach to share tips, guidance, and resources related to adapted physical education.

Did you know that children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities may qualify for Adapted Physical Education (APE)?
In a 2013 policy letter, the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) clarified that APE is a required service for preschool-aged children if the IEP team determines it is necessary.

This means that if a child needs physical education to meet their developmental goals—and cannot successfully participate in regular physical education—then APE must be included in the IEP.

Importantly, even if a preschool does not offer formal physical education, the school is still responsible for providing APE as part of special education services.

Providing access to appropriate physical education at this early age supports motor development, inclusion, and establishes the foundation for lifelong physical activity.

If you’d like to learn more, see below for additional information. You can also use the QR code provided, which links to an NCPEID APE Collaborative session featuring Heidi Ambrozius, an APE teacher in Moreno Valley Unified School District in California. In this session, Heidi highlights her practical and engaging approach to preschool adapted physical activity.