Overview
The Canadian Health Measures Survey discovered that about 95% of Canadian children and youth do not get the recommended amount of physical activity (a minimum of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ages 5-17). In fact, it is estimated that between only 8% to 65% of schools in Canada provide the recommend amount of physical activity. Physical activity is extremely improve for child's overall wellbeing both physically and mental. It is important to educate yourself on the benefits of physical activity for your students and how you can integrate physical activity in your classroom.
Benefits of Incorporating Physical Activity in the Classroom
- Improves concentration as well as the ability to stay on-task
- Reduces disruptive behaviour
- Improves motivation and engagement in the learning process
- Helps to improve their academic performance (higher grades and test scores)
- Improves their strength and endurance which helps to build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, and increases self-esteem
- Improves mental health by reducing anxiety, stress, and depression
- Promotes lifelong health and well-being and prevents several health conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity
Steps on How to Incorporate Physical Activity in the Classroom
Step One:
Identify different approaches to incorporate classroom physical activity for all students.
Step Two:
Create opportunities and find appropriate times within your daily schedule to be physical activity.
Step Three:
Identify materials, technology, and resources that may be needed to help promote classroom physical activity.
Step Four:
Design classroom in a way that there is space for classroom physical activity.
Step 5:
Make sure that classroom physical activity chosen is appropriate and safe by setting and communicating safety and behavioural expectations.
Tips for Teachers
- Participate in the activity with your students, students will be more likely to join in and have fun if they see you moving with them
- Ask teachers and school administrators to share and demonstrate their favourite activities, games, and movement ideas (collaborate)
- Empower students by asking them to share and lead their own physical activity break ideas
- Use physical activity as a reward or incentive for appropriate classroom behaviour
- Identify ways to make a sedentary activities, such as waiting in line, a physical activity
- Use audio and/or visual signals (e.g., stopping the music, putting a hand up), where necessary
- Use clear visual cues, such as lines on the floor, in order to identify boundaries during activities
How to Start!
Begin with a Warm Up
It is important that students do a warm-up before starting daily physical activities to prevent injury. Start by leading a low-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking. Then, gradually increase the speed and intensity to increase blood flow and heart rate. Finally, ensure that the joints are being moved through their full range of motion. An example of this is doing arm circles.
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Do the Physical Activity
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Finish with a Cool Down
After physical activity, use a cool-down to help return heart and body to its normal state. Slow-moving activities and stretches help to normalize the blood flow to the muscles and improve flexibility. An example of this would be stretching. Each stretch should be held for about 15 to 30 seconds.
Examples of Physical Activities Used in a Classroom
Whistle Mixer
Have students jog on the spot. When the whistle is blown a certain number of times, students form groups. The number of students in the groups corresponds to the number of whistles.
Touch That Colour
Instruct students to travel anywhere in the activity area in a variety of ways and to touch a specific colour in the activity area with a specific body part (e.g., touch white with one foot, touch green with one elbow).Repeat several times.
Act It Out
Create a list of different types of athletes with a corresponding action for each type.The list could be posted on the blackboard or wall, and could include the following:
A swimmer: Walk on the spot while moving arms in a front crawl motion. A dancer: Dance on the spot. Use your imagination.
A jogger: Jog on the spot.
A cyclist: Move feet quickly as if pedalling a bike.
A rock climber: March on the spot while moving arms up and down.
Teach the actions that correspond with each type of athlete's movements.
Have students march around the room or sit on chairs, and have them perform the action that corresponds with the athlete type you call out.
Resources
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/pdf-files/canada/position-statement/schoolsphysical-eng-screen
Madeleine @ NU
EDU 436
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