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 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. The lessons in this unit encourage kids to play, participate in a game or sport, and do leisure activities (e.g., go for a walk). It all adds up! Make the fit choice to move many times, many ways, and in many places each day.

Have kids turn and talk to a partner and share three ways they’ve moved since breakfast. Create a list of responses.

Learn What Defines Movement

Students 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

Move does not have to be competitive or vigorous to be fit.

You can move many different ways throughout the day. For example, doing everyday activities (e.g., walking, doing chores, etc.), playing games, and participating in sports are all great ways to move. Just get that body moving!

Create Movement Statements

Download the Healthy Choices printable for students to create “I will” statements telling how they will add more physical activity to their day. Discuss what students can do to 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.