Research shows that in addition to physical health benefits, daily physical activity improves concentration and academic achievement. Schools are an ideal place to promote health by creating daily opportunities to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. School-based physical activity initiatives can reach every student regardless of age, ability, gender, culture and socio-economic background. Both structured and unstructured activity is important and daily activity can be obtained through classroom instruction, sports, intramurals, dance, as well as through play time and walking, scooting or biking to and from school.

Whole School Approaches

Health evidence and resources are provided to aid in the creation of policies and supportive environments to help increase physical activity throughout the school day.

To promote a healthy school environment and encourage physical activity, consider the following activities as part of your health and well-being action plan:

Policy Creation

• Consider policies and supportive environments to create opportunities for students to meet Daily Physical activity (DPA) requirements. 
• Create School Travel Planning friendly policies and supportive environments with the support of public health nurses involved in our Simcoe Muskoka On the Move initiative to encourage more students to walk and wheel for their school journey and to address local barriers and enablers to active school travel. 
• Enhance Community Use of Schools policies to broaden public access for people to gather, learn and stay active in affordable and accessible places. 

Increase physical activity during the school day

• Start with OPHEAs Physical Activities Resources to create an action plan for your school.
• Consult with public health staff for options for implementing our Simcoe Muskoka On the Move initiative. To embed equity and engagement in your planning refer to the Steps to Success: The 5 E’s. Activities for walk and wheel events throughout the year can keep energy high as you work through your action plan.
• Consider implementing activities for students during breaks and lunch, such as the Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) program.

• Ophea: H&PE Curriculum Resources - Grades 1 - 8 and Grades 9-12.
• The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guideline for Children and Youth - Ages 5 to 17.
• Canadian Intramural Recreation Association (CIRA) - Grades K – 12.
• Physical Health & Education Canada - Programs - Grades K - 12.
• PlaySport  - Grades K – 12. 

• As a peer leader in the PALS program, or by encouraging student voice through On the Move or OPHEA Healthy Schools committees/activities, many school based physical activity programs offer opportunities for student engagement and leadership in addition to increasing their daily physical activity.
• Promoting the Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines: School based programs related to physical activity can reduce the time students spend sitting during the day and increase the opportunity to be active so students can meet the 24 Hour Movement Guidelines.

Parent and Family Engagement

There are also many ways to engage parents and families in promoting physical activity:

• Parents and caregivers can be involved in school committees such as the parent council, OPHEA Healthy Schools, Eco-Schools or On the Move committees to promote community involvement in schools. 
• Promoting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: Adult involvement in promoting physical activity helps students to set realistic goals and provides a good example for the children who are watching. Children with caregivers who enjoy being physically active, are more likely to be physically active.

Additional Resources

• Healthstats  - Statistics on physical activity across Simcoe and Muskoka.
• ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth

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