The Best Types of Movement to Help Kids Stay Healthy

Too often, physical activity is presented as exercise, exercise, and more exercise. Exercise is great; however, there are many ways to get the benefits of exercise and have fun at the same time! The lessons in this unit encourage kids to play, participate in a game or sport, and do leisure activities such as going for a walk for their physical activity. They will think about ways they can choose to move many times, many ways, and in many places each day. It all adds up—what's most important is that youth get the recommended hour or more of physical activity throughout the day. For more ideas on fun ways to add movement to your day, read 8 Sneaky Ways to Keep Kids Moving.

Have kids turn and talk to a partner and share three ways they’ve moved their bodies since breakfast. Create a list of responses. Let the kids know that whenever they are doing a physical activity, they are making a fit move!

To use this with your students click here.

Learn What Defines Movement

Students view the slideshow and decide which activities are fit move choices.

Leisure activities, like playing a game, gardening, playing the drums, and even chasing butterflies, are all examples of fit move choices because they involve physical activity.

There Are Many Ways to Move

Your moves do not have to be competitive or vigorous to be fit. You can move in many different ways throughout the day. For example, everyday activities (e.g., walking, doing chores, etc.), playing games, and participating in sports are all great ways to move. Just get your body moving!

Check for understanding: How do you choose to move?

Create Movement Statements

Download the Many Ways to Move printable for students to create “I will” statements telling how they will add more physical activity to their day. Discuss what students can do on their own and when they may need help from an adult.

Now that we’ve learned what it means to move, let’s start to think about how we can find time to add movement to our daily routines.