Today, children are not getting enough movement at home or at school. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (5-17 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep offer evidence-based recommendations for a balanced day of movement,
A Balanced Day for Optimal Health: SWEAT, STEP, SLEEP, and LIMIT SEDENTARY TIME ages 5-17 years
What are the Benefits?
In my PHE 31O–PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR GENERAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS class we learned the benfits are:
- Academic Performance
- Student Confidence
- Student Behavior
- Physical Health
- Mental Health
- Social Health
How can Teachers Meet These Guidelines?
As educators, we play a crucial role in integrating movement into the school day. Here are some ways in my link2practice at Willows Elementary where these guidlines have been applied:
- Morning runs or physical activity sessions before school.
- Frequent movement breaks, where students can stand up, stretch, or do jumping jacks.
- Taking learning outdoors, such as a walk for science class.
- Setting up an exercise bike station outside the classroom.
Despite these efforts, many schools still fall short of meeting these guidelines. How can we shift this?
The solution begins with future teachers, like us, recognizing the importance of movement and actively working to incorporate these guidelines into our classrooms. By educating ourselves and adopting these strategies, we can help foster healthier, more active environments for our students.