School Newsletter Inserts
Physical Activity
How Active Should our Kids Be? - Parents
Kids today need 90 minutes a day of physical activity to achieve health benefits compared to adults who need 60 minutes a day according to the Health Canada’s Guidelines of Physical Activity. That can be a lot of time however schools are helping children to meet those goals. The Ministry of Health has mandated that all children should receive at least 20 minutes of daily physical activity in addition to phys-ed or gym time. Schools refer to this as DPA.
Don’t be surprised to hear your child come home and talk about having a jog around school first thing in the morning or telling you they were shooting hoops to math facts or jumping to grammar rules. Kids need to be moving – so if your child has had an inactive day, spend time being active with them in the evening.
For more information you can call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-5720 and speak with a public health nurse or click on the health unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Do I need to be moving? - Students
You may have heard your teacher talk about the need to be more active or about daily physical activity (DPA). The Ministry of Education has told schools they need to be sure that kids are active during the day if they are not in phys-ed.
According to Health Canada, kids need to be physically active every day for 90 minutes in order to achieve health benefits. That may seem like a lot but it is not! Just think about what you could be doing during recess and lunch times. Ask your friends about doing something fun that requires moving outside.
Look for new ideas to come to your school such as schlockey, hackey sack, 4 squares or tether ball. Ask the school or parent council if there is any money to buy equipment and if not then fundraise for things that will give you more things to do on the playground. Just remember to ask yourself everyday – “How will I get my 90 minutes?”!
For more information you can call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-5720 and speak with a public health nurse or click on the health unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org
Active and Safe Routes to Schools - Parents
Remember when walking and biking to school was the norm and how much fun it was! Meeting your friends, talking to neighbours and business people along the way and how the exercise made you feel energized for the day.
Now less than half of Canadian children walk to school, many are overweight and increasing traffic is threatening children’s health and safety.
To find out how to create Active and Safe Routes to School contact Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or check out www.saferoutestoschool.ca
Active and Safe Routes to Schools - Parents
While 68 per cent of children have a walk to school of 30 minutes or less, only 36 per cent walk as a rule; 96 per cent of children 5-13 years old own a bicycle, yet only 2 per cent cycle to school.
By supporting children to walk or cycle to school parents can enjoy some precious personal time with their children, increase opportunities for physical activity, as well as have an opportunity to teach valuable skills such as safety, responsibility, independence and connection to community.
To find out how to create Active and Safe Routes to School contact Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or check out www.saferoutestoschool.ca
Active and Safe Routes to Schools - Parents
Two out of three Canadian children do not meet average physical activity guidelines to achieve optimum growth and development; more than a quarter of Canadian children and youth are overweight.
Walking and cycling to school is just one way for children to increase levels of physical activity and gain valuable life skills. Parents and the school community can create an environment that supports children to meet the physical activity guidelines, thereby increasing opportunities for optimal health.
To find out how to create Active and Safe Routes to School contact Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or check out www.saferoutestoschool.ca