Daily Physical Activity Presented by: Jeff Reading CBE Specialist: Environmental, Outdoor and

1. Daily Physical Activity Presented by: Jeff Reading CBE Specialist: Environmental, Outdoor and Physical Education

2. What is Daily Physical Activity (DPA) and how did it come to be a priority in Schools? • DPA refers to the planned and spontaneous physical activity that people do on a daily basis (walking, sports, gardening, running, jogging, household chores, active games, stretching, etc). The research shows DPA is on the decline in Canada. • In August 2004, the Minister of Learning, Dr. Lyle Oberg announced that daily physical activity (DPA) would be implemented in schools.

3. What are the goals of DPA • The goal of DPA is to optimize the activity levels of students in an effort to address growing obesity rates and chronic disease associated with increased physical inactivity levels. • To ensure 30 minutes of guided physical activity everyday for all Kindergarten to Grade 9 students • To encourage school based DPA as a component of a healthy family lifestyle • To increase and maintain the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to lead an active healthy lifestyle through a supportive school environment.

4. What does the research tell us? Why is DPA important? • The World health Organization (2002) reported that in 2001, 1.9 millions global deaths were attributed to physical inactivity. • In 1998, Canadians 15 years and older spend an average of 15 hours per week watching TV compared to only 7 hours of active leisure activity. • In 1998, less than 37% of students walked to school. • In 2003 the average Canadian spends 5% of their lives outdoors.

5. What does the research tell us? Why is DPA important? • In 2000, 57% of Canadian children, aged 5-17 years were not sufficiently active to meet international guidelines for optimal growth and development. For adolescents, this number grew from 64% in 2000 to 84% in 2002. • Physical inactivity is considered to be an even greater problem than cigarette smoking – 26% of Canadians are smokers, more than 35% of Canadians are inactive • Regular physical activity (not exercise) can reduce the risk of chronic disease such as colon cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis • Active students are less susceptible to stress, exhibit positive attitudes about school and themselves, show increased academic success and are less aggressive with fellow students • Children who participate in regular physical activity are less likely to smoke or consume alcohol.

6. Lets Play… Ringer • Everyone stand inside a rope loop on the floor. One person per loop. • On the sound of a handclap, everyone moves to a different ring • Remove a ring. That person is now “it” • On the sound of a handclap move to another ring without being caught by the person who is “it” Knots • 2 people hold onto each end of a short rope. Create groups of 4 ropes – without letting go of the rope. • Tie a huge knot in the middle using all the ropes without letting go.

7. What are the strategies for implementation? • DPA is best when integrated across the curriculum. The challenge is to examine current practice and change what we do to add a physical activity dimension to existing programs of study activities. • Creative scheduling of the school timetable to allow for maximum use of facilities and time • Long term planning that links to seasonal topics and events, regular community activities and unique opportunities that exist in the area • Start slowly and build with success and experience. The ultimate goal is 90 minutes of physical activity each day, of which 30 minutes is achieved through school activities • Involve parent and the community

8. What role to parents and the community play in DPA? • Recognize and support the need for daily physical activity in your children. 60 minutes of a child’s DPA is encouraged to be done at home and in the community. DPA can be good for you too! • Set a positive tone. Be a role model for your children. Remember DPA is just that – it does not require membership at a fitness club. Consider the activities you can do as a family that could be active. • Encourage your children to walk to school, to ride their bikes within the community, instead of driving and reduce the time they spend watching TV and playing video games. Plan and review safe routes through the community so your children can be independent and safe.

9. What role to parents and the community play in DPA? • Volunteer in school to see what sorts of activity is happening so this can be emulated at home • Involve your children in everyday household chores that are active. • Create a newsletter column that offers suggestions from parents about ideas they use to increase DPA • Participate with your child in physical activities that the families enjoys • Encourage your child to get involved in extra curricular activities that are active

10. What role to parents and the community play in DPA? • Involve your child in community activities that offer lessons in lifestyle activities such as golf, rock climbing or dance • Plan regular family outings that involve “human powered activities” such as walking, cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, skating, etc. • Track the DPA achieved by your family and discuss what active lifestyle activities your family is interested in participating in. • Build on success! Start slowly and increase DPA as ability and managing day to day life improves

11. What role to parents and the community play in DPA? • Create a community activity map that includes the possible DPA venues and activity locations (curling rinks, tennis courts, bowling lanes, rock climbing areas, swimming pools, weight rooms, soccer fields, forests, bike routes, dance studios, community centers, etc) • When mapping the best routes consider… • Volume and speed of local traffic • Safe walking and biking routes that reduce the need to travel on roads • Whether or not there are sidewalks • Pedestrian crossing devices • Locations of public spaces to access for activity • Block Parent or Neighbourhood Watch community features • Lighting on the streets, parking lots and other spaces in the community • Escort your children along these routes until they are comfortable to travel on their own.

12. Lets play… Switch • Oh, I can’t tell you about this just yet!!! • Inuit balance games • Shake hands and pull • Raise your feet in the air • 2 hand dance • 4 way push ups

13. Resources • Live Outside The Box www.liveoutsidethebox.ca Alberta Community Development website with lots of activity idea to consider • Summer Active Challenge www.summeractive.canoe.ca Public Health Agency of Canada • Alberta Education http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bysubject/fieldrev/dpa.pdf Daily Physical Education handbook that contains lots of activity ideas

14. Effective daily physical activity is the result of teamwork between the school, parents and the community.