Schools are in a unique position to help students accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. A growing body of evidence indicates that physical activity in childhood is essential for a healthy brain and leads to improved:
- Thinking and learning
- Attention and focus
- Problem-solving
- Memory
- Growth of brain tissue
- Emotional regulation and self-control
- Stress and anxiety management
- Coping with depressive symptoms
- Self-esteem and self-worth
We can help improve your school environment to support students learning and promote active living for life!
School Resources |
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines encourages kids to Sweat, Step, Sleep, and Sit each day Recommendations to manage School-related sedentary behavior and implementation steps Daily Physical Activity Policy: The Ministry of Education ensures that elementary students have a minimum of 20 minutes of DPA during instructional time. Find DPA activities for your classroom with CIRA or OPHEA’s Brain Blitz or One a Day for Active Play. OPHEA’s Teaching Tools: Lesson plans supplements and activities for teaching healthy active living OPHEA’s Safety Guidelines represents the minimum requirements for safety standards for school-based physical activity Lending library: The Health Unit lends out resources to schools such as playground stencil lending or pedometer kits to “walk across Canada”. Schoolyards Count! A school yard makes a difference to student’s health and learning. School Travel Planning is a process to support school communities improve active travel to/from school. Ontario Road Safety Curriculum JK to grade 12 lesson plans and teaching aids for your class. Physical Literacy is a journey upon which children develop the knowledge, skills and attitude that helps them to participant in a variety of activities in different environments. Physical literacy online learning modules through Sport for Life Campus or PHE Canada Recess, Intramurals , the outdoor classroom, and active hallways are all important parts of school culture that offers everyone a chance to learn through play. Learn about other ways to improve your school environment. |