When kids are healthy, they are better students in the classroom. Empowering students to learn and make choices about their health and wellness will allow them to create lifelong habits that will nurture their well-being as they grow.
fit is a system of accessible, free resources and programs developed to empower children, families, and educators to make healthy lifestyle choices. We support teachers with easy-to-use resources that captivate children’s attention, educate them about important health topics, and activate healthy behaviors. To know how to best use fit in the classroom, we’ve answered your top questions to help get your class started!
Q: What resources are available for educators?
A: fit offers over 100 printable activities, 75 videos, 100+ articles, 13 classroom units with 5 lesson plans each, and over 25 games and activities. Whether you are looking for tips to help your students cope with changing emotions, ways to keep students active, quick brain breaks, or morning routine ideas, fit has a resource for you! If you’re looking for easy, on-the-go content, follow us on social media @sanfordfitkids or sign up for our weekly emails to receive the latest available resources.
Q: Are fit units and games aligned to standards?
A: fit programs align with the National Health Education Standards (NHES) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Competencies. Health behavior outcomes align with the Centers for Disease Control Health Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). Additionally, fit exemplifies the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework.
Q: Who creates your content and programs?
A: We have an amazing team of experts in education, public health, childhood development, exercise science, and design who work together with our healthcare team at Sanford Health to create engaging, educational resources for your family. Educators and health experts review all content before it is published on fit.sanfordhealth.org. Content is reviewed and updated regularly to keep the information relevant and accurate.
Q: What do the four categories mean: Recharge, Mood, Food, and Move?
A: Each category is one of fit’s four pillars and together, they are essential to building awareness of healthy lifestyle choices. Since being fit is more than just eating right and exercising, it’s important to understand what influences choices.
- Recharge refers to how energy level influences choices and the importance of finding screen-free ways to relax and get the sleep that a child’s body and brain need.
- Mood focuses on the feelings and emotions that put a child in a mood and ultimately, influence their choices.
- Food aims to teach kids that food is fuel for their body and brain.
- Move encourages kids to move their bodies many times, many ways, and in many places throughout the day.
To learn more about what each pillar means, check out How fit Works.
Q: How do I use fit and the resources?
A: All fit programs and resources can function as health promotion activities, morning meeting topics, curriculum supplements, school counselor resources, or a school-wide program. More information and a scope and sequence of activities can be found in teacher and leader’s guides:
Q: How do I get started?
A: Our resources are specifically created and designed to be used in a variety of ways that work for different goals. If you only have about 5-10 minutes in your day, start with a quick activity like our fitFlow Yoga Activity! If you are looking for ways to create a calm classroom environment or zen den, use one of our free printables like the Mindful Moments cards, Calming Choices Poster Pack, or even the Cozy Spot fit-Kit for Kids. Some of the most popular resources for teachers are fitBoost Activity, Countdown to Calm: A Calm Down Activity for Kids, and Wellness Way Sensory Path. You can also:
- Dip into the Discover page to select an activity or watch a video. You can easily sort by pillar (recharge, mood, food, or move), content type, and setting.
- Dive in! Scroll to the bottom of any page and select Units, fitGames, or fitClub from the page footer.
Q: Do I have to teach the lessons in a particular order?
A: You can use the Units or fitGames in chronological order or mix and match to meet your needs. We suggest using fitClub afterschool program in chronological order because while key concepts are repeated throughout the program, each session goes into more depth.
Q: Do you have resources available in Spanish?
A: Yes! You can see a guide to our dual language resources here.
Q: What is the duplication policy?
A: All the fit materials are available in a digital format on the website. Prefer a printed copy? Go ahead and print from your computer, tablet, or phone! All materials may be reproduced for educational purposes. We do kindly request that if you’d like to share our website or the resources, you link back to our website at fit.sanfordhealth.org.
Q: Is your program evidence-based?
A: fit is an application of evidence-based theories and models. Throughout the development and design process, several formative and pilot studies have informed the fit programs and resources. Currently, we are partnered with researchers at Michigan State University to conduct a feasibility study. We're always looking for new opportunities to conduct research and evaluate the impact of our programs and resources.
The following publications provide information about the evidence and theoretical models supporting fit:
Suzanne E. Williams & Donna Hardie (2019) Introduction to Sanford Health Children’s Health & Fitness (fit) Initiative: A Physical and Emotional Health Promotional Intervention, American Journal of Health Education, 50:3, 159-166, DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2019.1590257
Williams SE, Nachtigall N, Hardie D (2018) Children's Physical and Emotional Health Promotional Intervention: Sanford Health Fitness (Fit) Initiative. J Child Obes S1-003.
We hope you find the resources you need on our website to support the development of healthy habits for your students. Follow us @sanfordfitkids on social and share our programs with your colleagues and families.
Thanks for checking us out! Still have questions? Send our team an email and we'll be happy to help answer your questions!
