Everyday Tasks Can Get Kids Moving

Too often, physical activity is presented as exercise, exercise, and more exercise. Exercise is great; however, there are many ways to move and get the benefits of exercise and have fun at the same time. What’s most important is that youth get the recommended hour or more of physical activity each day. So, encourage them to play, participate in a game or sport, or even do a leisure activity, like going for a walk. It all adds up! Make the fit choice to move many times, in many ways, and in many places each day.

Ask for a student to join you at the front of the class. Have that student demonstrate how they move to tie their sneakers. After the student is done, repeat the moves and explain how much movement can be found in our everyday movements.

Make Movements Out of Everyday Tasks

Watch the Get Moving in the Classroom video showing many ways to make moving fun. Invite students to dance along!

Moving is More Than Exercise

Highlight key points:

• Some think move is only exercise, but that's not so!
• Choose ways to move that you enjoy, and it will be easy to move throughout your day.
• Make your move a short burst of activity. Ten minutes or so is fine. It all adds up!

 

Create a Move Jar

Students make a move jar. 

• On small pieces of paper, students write or draw favorite and fun ways to move.
• Put the pieces of paper in a jar or container.
• When it’s time to move, choose a piece of paper from the jar and have fun moving!

We've thought about how our everyday tasks involve movement. Next we are going to learn to make the healthy choice to add movement every day and in many places.