November Tip of the Month
Active Play EVERY Day!

Increase physical movement through the day in every way. Choose things you LIKE to do for at least 60 minutes of active time most days.

Activity Idea: Active Play!
Description: Kids learn about the benefits of daily physical activity and set goals.
Active Play in Platte County
Grades: 3-5
Supplies: 1.   Three or four sets of index cards with different types of physical activity listed on one side. ( Ideas - walking, hopping, marching and jumping jacks.)
  2.   Copy of NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education) Guidelines, Physical Activity for Children: A Statement of Guidelines for Children Ages 5-12, 2nd Edition (go to www.aahperd.org for information)
  3.   Flip chart or blackboard.
  4.   Simple activity log copied onto handout sheets.
   
Day/Date
Activity
Time
     
     
     
     
     
     

Let’s Do It:
1.   In a classroom with space to move, talk about 1-2 guidelines from the NASPE document: Children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of activity on all or most days of the week. Extended periods of inactivity are discouraged especially during daytime hours.
2.   Discuss the benefits of increased active play. Write these on a flip chart or board: healthy heart, stronger muscles, feel better, learn easier, more energy, healthier body weight, stronger bones, and reduced stress.
3.   Divide kids in groups.
4.   Give each group a set of cards and explain that they are to act out each activity.
5.   Explain that after they have performed an activity, the group will decide which benefits the activity provides.
6.   Once groups have completed their cards, ask kids to select at least three of their own favorite activities.
7.   Provide kids with a simple activity log and ask them to log the number of times they perform their 3 favorite activities in the next week.
8.   After 1 week, ask kids to look at their log and set a goal to increase by (1) the number of times, or by (5) minutes the length of time, they perform their favorite activity in the upcoming week. Encourage them to set personal goals that are simple and easily achieved.

This fun activity is from the HKC Acting Up booklet. See HKC’s order page for descriptors and to view the Table of Content and booklet sample pages.