Lesson

How Moving Can Help Improve Kids' Health

Kids will learn about how being active benefits their bodies.

Objectives

  •  Describe the benefits of physical activity (e.g., energy, focus, motivation).

Info to Know

Move is physical activity. To move is to participate in a sport, play, exercise, or do a leisure activity such as walking. Health experts recommend that youth get at least one hour of physical activity each day, but you do not have to do it all at once! 

One way to get essential movement in during the school day is to include brain breaks and brain boosts throughout the day. Check out 50 Educational Brain Breaks for quick and easy activities to help kids re-energize, focus, and boost brainpower!

Set The Stage

Ask kids to talk to a partner about their favorite activity. Is it a game, exercise, dance, or simply standing rather than sitting?

To use this with your students click here.

Captivate

Exercises for Kids

Do some moves!

  • Stretch
  • Do toe raises
  • Pretend to play basketball
  • Skip
  • Pretend to jump rope

Educate

Benefits of Being Active

Highlight the benefits of being active throughout the day:

  • Physical activity gives you energy and helps you focus.
  • Moving motivates you to make nutritious food choices.
  • Being active keeps you from feeling bored.
  • Being active throughout the day can help you sleep better at night.

Check for understanding: What does moving do for your body and brain?

Activate

Morning Move Choices

Now that kids know how much they benefit from movement throughout the day, get them thinking about how they can start their day with movement. Students write or draw their morning move choices on the Add Move to Your Day printable. They will complete the other sections in the next lessons.

Close the Lesson

Today we learned about how being active and moving is good for our health. Next, we will learn about ways to move your body at school.

Grade: 3-5

Time: 20 Minutes

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Markers
  • Poster Board or White Board
  • Slideshow

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core Concepts–Regularly engage in physical activities to enhance body and brain
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication 
  • Standard 5: Decision-Making

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Responsible Decision-Making

Extend the Lesson

  • Play the fitGame, Daily Moves, to help kids think about ways to be active throughout the day.
  • Play the fitGame Memory Power, to build awareness of how movement connects to learning.
  • Watch the video, Be Active Every Day, to learn how movement benefits your body and brain.

View the fit Units and Lessons Scope and Sequence Chart.

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