Physical Activity 

• Energizers get your classroom or school moving.

• They’re quick, fun ideas that are easy to implement throughout the day for a lively pick-me-up.

• Ideas to get started that can be shared with your staff: http://www.appleschools.ca/energizers 

• Examples include: skating, swimming, rock climbing, bowling, walking, etc.

• Early physical activity learning experiences are important for the promotion of lifelong participation in physical activity.

•  Lifelong learning in physical activity means that students continue to learn physical activity skills and gain new knowledge and confidence throughout their lifetime.

• Schools offer many activities under the lifelong learning criteria which are designed to support physical literacy skills outside the school facility.

• Activities often include trips to local pools for swimming lessons, trips to arenas and curling clubs for skating and curling lessons, and exposure to activities such as skateboarding and biking safety and skills.

• The partnership between Regional Centres for Education, Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, and municipalities provides funding for After School Programs (ASPs).

• ASPs are coordinated and led by local municipal recreation departments. 

• Additional funds are also available to enhance ASPs. These monies can also be accessed by your municipal recreation contact.

• Contact:  BAP Coordinator 

• Outdoor Play/Activities Training is available for staff.

• Outdoor play/activities training for teachers, parents/guardians, lunch supervisors, EA’s and other support staff.

• Evidence clearly states that students and staff benefit from time spent outdoors, engaged in nature play and activities.

• Learn new ways to expand learning zones beyond the classroom walls and to move from ‘play supervisor’ to ‘play facilitator.’

• Individual school or Families of Schools training available.

• Please contact your School Health Promoter to arrange training to suit your needs.

• Teachers passionate about incorporating physical literacy and physical activity into classroom curriculum (outside of physical education), coaches of school teams, physical education teachers as well as after school program leaders.

• The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) workshop is a NCCP course supported by Coaching Association of Canada

• The development of fundamental movement skills and motor skills is critical to establishing the foundation for physical literacy, which leads to participation in a variety of opportunities within sport and physical activity.

• Click here to visit the site to find links to resources and documents to support your school as you implement the Physical Activity Framework. 

• Please check back regularly as we continue to update the webpage with new resources.

• Active Smarter Kids (ASK) is a model for curriculum delivery that has been developed and researched in Norway.  

• Check out this 4 min. introduction video!

• ASK has been implemented by SSRCE teachers since 2018

• ASK Training is FREE and now offered to Junior High Schools and High Schools

• ASK uses Physically Active Learning (PAL), which consists of fun (engaging) and active lessons that combine physical activity with academic content as part of instructional time. 

• ASK is implemented by classroom teachers not PE specialists. Not to be confused as a supplement to physical education.

• International research has demonstrated that Physically Active Learning effectively increase students’ physical activity, while also positively affecting students’ time on task, academic achievement, and overall mood and sense of enjoyment of school. 

• Check out the project's YouTube Channel for example lessons. 

• Contact Britt.Vegsund@modl.ca, or your School Health Promoter, nick.nguyen@nshealth.ca if you want support setting up professional development in your school. 

• Website: https://www.activesmarterkids.com/ 

• The HIGH FIVE Sport training is aligned with the FUNdamentals and Learn to Train stages of Long Term Athlete Development.

• HIGH FIVE Sport focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive development and wellbeing of children and youth.

• The training is based in research and has been designed to help coaches, instructors and teachers with top dilemmas such as working with parents, keeping the child’s interest, ensuring fair play and fostering an emotionally safe environment.

• Note: Participants who are NCCP certified may earn 3 Professional Development (PD) points towards maintenance of the NCCP certification status.

High 5 for Healthy Minds

Teachers passionate about incorporating physical literacy and physical activity into classroom curriculum (outside of physical education), coaches of  school teams, physical education teachers as well as after school program leaders.

This is a one-hour online training opportunity with a downloadable resource to help those working with children positively influence their mental health. This training links HIGH FIVE to children’s mental health. Developed with expertise from Dr. Stanley Kutcher and Dr. Wayne Hammond, this training offers engagement strategies for nurturing resiliency in children and provides insights into common mental health distress or disorders that children could be experiencing.

HIGH FIVE: Strengthening Children’s Mental Health

Teachers (coaches, counsellors, instructors, managers, supervisors) will be able to identify key concepts related to children’s mental health, as well as strategies to help staff promote positive mental health and respond appropriately to children with challenges and/or mental health conditions. 

This training is developed in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario. It will help anyone running children’s programs be more informed and prepared to support their staff in promoting positive mental health in children. Participants will learn key concepts and factors that affect children’s mental health including the impact of stress and environment on a child’s ability to cope. This training will provide tools and suggested activities to use with staff to help improve their understanding and interactions with children who face challenges in their programs.

• The environments we operate in provide cues, nudges and incentives that influence our behaviour.

• Recognizing the importance of promoting healthy learning environments, hallway decals offer a way to modify school spaces, helping to activate your students! 

• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF3SmdaHM-g 

• Don't Walk in the Hallway decal kits can be ordered online through EverActive Schools for $135: https://everactive.org/product/dwith 

• The Playground Activity Leadership program (PALs) aims to develop student leadership and support student-led physical activity opportunities during ‘out of classroom’ time- before school, recess, and at lunch.

• PALs training requires a staff ‘champion’ (PALs Coordinator) at each school.

• They support the senior playground/physical activity student mentors (PALs).

• Contact: Local recreation partner, local school Physical Education staff or School Health Promoter.

• Making Tracks is a DEECD curriculum-approved program developed by the Ecology Action Centre.

• Making Tracks uses a train-the-trainer model to teach active transportation skill competency, confidence, and safety in walking and cycling.

• https://ecologyaction.ca/our-work/transportation/making-tracks 

• The Maritime Centre for African Dance will be working beginning in Nova Scotia in September doing interactive African Dance, Caribbean Dance, African Drumming and cultural workshops. These workshops promote Healthy Living, Physical Activity, Cultural Education and inclusivity!

• https://mcafricandance.wordpress.com 

• Students in elementary, junior high and high schools across the province

• Group size can range from just a few to more than 100

• Coaches can be school staff, parents, peer leaders or community members

• Walk/jog approach allows everyone to participate, experience with running isn't required

• School groups run together 1 to 3 times a week

• Participants build their endurance in order to complete a final fun run of 2.1, 4.2 or 5 kilometres

• All participants receive a Runner’s Handbook when they join and a finisher's prize at the end

• Healthy Living Challenge encourages participants to eat well, stay active, and reduce screen time

• Running log allows participants to track their progress

• Contact: https://kidsrunclub.ca 

• Teachers, EAs, after school program leaders who would like to facilitate outdoor nature-based games and activities, intended to reconnect children and youth to the natural world. 

• Hike NS has developed a series of activities and games, intended to reconnect children and youth to natural spaces through creative and investigative play.

• These activities help adults to create magic and memorable connections between children and the natural world.

• https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/courses-re-connecting 

• International Walk to School Month in October

• International Walk to School Month gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking.

• People from over 40 countries walk to school together for various reasons — the environment, physical activity, safety and fun – all hoping to create communities that are safe places to walk.

• https://ecologyaction.ca/iwalk