fitCLUB

Stretch and Discuss Feelings and Emotions

Kids do mindful breathing and stretching exercises while they talk about tips to help themselves manage their moods that result from feelings and emotions.

adult leader teaching kids about healthy habits
girls writing on a piece of paper
kids getting ready to play a game in a gym
smiling kids running in a gym
Kids running a relay outside on a grassy field
Group of kids doing yoga on mats outside

Activity Purpose

Kids stretch and do mindful breathing while they talk about tips to help themselves manage their moods.

Objectives

  • Identify "recharge" as sleeping 9-12 hours every night and doing screen-free relaxation activities throughout the day.
  • Recognize that recharge and mood are influencers of healthy choices throughout the day.
  • Recall "Think fit. Be fit!" as a cue for "know your mood" and "make a healthy choice."

Preparation

  • Talk Time: Kids sit and stretch or stand and march in place. Be sure they are a safe distance (arm’s length) apart.
  • Activity: Have Recharge Activity Cards ready to use. Print Session 3 Challenge and My fit Thoughts for each fitClub member. If using music, have the player and music accessible and ready to play.
  • Wrap Up: Kids sit a safe distance apart for group discussion.

Talk Time

Introduction

Q: How do you recharge your energy?
A: Sleeping and relaxing without a screen.

Did you know that the more exercise you get, the better you'll sleep? But, if you exercise right before bed, you may find it difficult to fall asleep! It's true, you need to begin to relax an hour before bedtime to get the best sleep. The better you sleep, the more energy you will have the next day, which makes it easier to motivate your mood! So you see, one healthy choice leads to another! 

As our final activity, we are going to move through a breathing and stretching routine while we review what we have learned and plan healthy choices before our next fitClub session. 

Do The Activity

Activity Instructions
  1. Kids sit, close their eyes, then take 3 deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose and fill the belly up like a balloon for a count of 6. Slowly exhale through the mouth for a count of 6.
  2. Ask for 3 volunteers; each chooses 1 Recharge Activity Card.
  3. Demonstrate how to do the stretching movement on each card. Continue the breathing pattern. 
  4. Continue stretching through Wrap Up and Reflection.

Wrap Up

Reflections

Q: Imagine that a new kid joined our fitClub. What can you tell them about the connection between mood and the other parts of fit?
A: Answers can vary. Key concepts include:

  • Your feelings and emotions put you in a mood. 
  • Your mood is your motivation. 
  • Your mood, along with your energy (recharge) influences your food and move choices.

 

Distribute pencils and My fit Thoughts to check for understanding and readiness to make fit choices. This will provide you with information about how well the kids are understanding the fit concepts as well as their learning needs. Remind kids that there are no right or wrong answers. Read the questions aloud:

  1. Circle the icon that represents the fit session you learned about. For this session, circle "Mood."
  2. What did you learn about in the fit section you circled above? Write down something you learned today.
  3. What is one fit choice you plan to make this week?
  4. On a scale from 1 to 5, how easy will it be to complete the fit choice you made in question 3? Put an X over "Super Easy," "Easy," "Doable," "Difficult," or "Super Difficult."
Challenge

Thank you for coming today. We had fun learning about mood and the connection to the other parts of fit. Here is your challenge to help you make healthy choices until the next session. (Distribute the Session 3 Challenge for kids to take home.)

Closing

Do the fit-Chant! 

Leader: Think fit. (Pointer finger pointed at brain.) 
Kids: Know your mood! (Pointer finger pointed at brain.) 

Leader: Be fit! (Show thumbs up!)
Kids: Make a healthy choice! (Show thumbs up!)

Time: 10 Minutes

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Music
  • Markers or Pencils
  • Timer

Helpful Tips


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