Your students benefit daily from time in nature and opportunities to move. Physical activity contributes to:
- Increased cognitive function
- Enhanced attention span
- Improved sleep quality
- Enhanced heart and muscular fitness
- Better learning
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved social and problem-solving skills
There are many ways to enhance your student’s physical activity, these include:
- Exercise breaks throughout the day, especially between subjects or before settling into desk work
- Creating a movement friendly environment (creating space for movement, making movement stations around the classroom)
- Incorporate movement into classroom learning (associating movements with lesson components has been shown to increase learning/memory)
- Promote extracurricular activities that incorporate physical activity (intermural sports, track and field etc.)
- When possible, move classroom activities outside or to other parts of the school
When incorporating physical activity in classrooms, it may be helpful to keep in mind that physical activity breaks don’t have to be long, and they should be easy/accessible. The best movement is the movement that happens consistently. DPA Every Day is a free resource designed to support the implementation of Daily Physical Activity (DPA) to enhance student well-being and achievement.
- 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children 5-11 and Youth 12-17 Years encourage children and youth to "Sweat, Step, Sleep and Sit" the right amounts for a healthy 24 hours.
- Active Kids is a free physical activity program for kids of all ages and abilities. It includes lesson plans, training, and support needed to get kids moving for up to 45 minutes a day. It also includes shorter movement breaks, games, and activities tailored to your needs as an educator or parent.
- Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) provides a variety of physical activity lesson plans, ideas, professional learning and more.
- Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a playground leadership program for elementary schools that encourages all students to participate in organized activities at break times. PALS provides meaningful leadership opportunities for students in junior and intermediate grades to lead fun and safe playground games for students in primary grades that promote increased physical activity, inclusivity and a sense of belonging. One or two school staff will act as facilitators to coordinate student leadership training and provide continued support.
- Ready, Check Go! Series from Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) is a physical activity tracker designed to help children and their parents/guardians understand the importance and enjoyment of incorporating regular daily physical activity in ways that suit their personal beliefs and needs.
