ResourceTips for a physically active classroom
Get started with some tips for incorporating more physical activity in your classroom or download the Mission: Play app for guided motor skill development tools and activities for toddlers!
The power of the classroom
The classroom stands out as a powerful space for shaping health behaviors in children. Given that children spend the majority of their weekly waking hours in childcare and educational settings, these places and the people within them can hold significant influence in the battle against childhood obesity.
Research has shown that health programs integrated into familiar environments, like the classroom, are particularly effective. And it’s not just teachers who contribute. Even classmates within these settings can substantially influence the health choices of their peers. Take, for example, the simple act of seeing a classmate eat a particular vegetable—that child then becomes more inclined to give it a try themselves.
By integrating health education and healthy choices into the classroom, you can take a strategic approach to improving student health by wielding the two greatest tools at your disposal: a familiar environment and peer influence.
Healthy eating and nutrition education
Despite the crucial role nutrition education can play in improving lifelong health, it remains lacking in many school settings. As an educator, you already contribute immensely to your students’ care and success, but you likely face challenges that limit your ability to incorporate new learning opportunities, no matter how important they may be.
The good news is that even small shifts can make a big difference. Visual health and nutrition messaging throughout the school, healthy snack choices, and school health curriculums that can be adapted to address your time, space, and resource constraints are all impactful ways to support your passion for student wellbeing while working to prevent childhood obesity.
Ideas to get started
Starting a school garden
Offering healthy snack alternatives
Displaying nutrition education materials in the classroom & cafeteria
Incorporating a nutrition-focused school health curriculum
Physical activity in schools
Healthy movement habits are important at any age. Starting from infancy, activities like tummy time and crawling lay the groundwork for essential motor skills development. By the time kids reach school age, they require even more movement with a recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.1
Achieving this level of physical activity goes beyond preventing obesity; it nurtures strong bones and muscles, enhances heart health, and helps establish enduring healthy habits. Moreover, regular physical activity contributes to mental health, fostering concentration, reducing stress, and leading to stronger academic performance. Still, despite the overwhelming benefits, many of our children are falling far short of physical activity recommendations.2 With the increasing prevalence of screens, hours spent sitting at desks, and decreasing participation in extracurricular activities, students need daily, school-based activity more than ever, and teacher involvement is key.
ResourceIncorporating regular movement opportunities for students doesn’t have to be difficult or disruptive. Most can achieve their 60 minutes through recess, physical education, and brief activity breaks throughout the day.
Screen time standards
In today’s digital age, children have unprecedented access to screens, which serve not only as sources of entertainment but also as tools for socializing and learning. While these devices offer valuable benefits, it’s crucial to acknowledge that excessive screen time can also have adverse effects on children’s well-being.
Prolonged exposure to screens can disrupt children’s sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and potential impacts on their school performance. Additionally, excessive screen time often replaces opportunities for physical activities, essential for maintaining strong muscles and preventing health issues like obesity.
As you work closely with parents and caregivers, it is important to advocate for a healthy balance between screen time and other activities that prioritize the physical health of your students.
ResourceScreen time strategies for schools
By fostering awareness of these guidelines, we contribute to creating an environment that supports the optimal development of children in both their digital engagement and physical health. For ideas to encourage healthy screen time among your students, download our screen time guide!
To guide parents and caregivers, we recommend the following screen time limits based on age:
Under 2 years old
Avoid screens
2-5 years old
No more than 1 hour per day
5-17 years old
No more than 2 hours per day, except for homework
Weight stigma & body perception
As an educator, you have a unique view into the lives of children that no other adult has. You witness firsthand their relationships, social dynamics, and how they navigate it all. Students with extra weight or obesity may have an exceptionally hard time as they encounter misunderstandings and unfair treatment from their peers. To support the emotional wellbeing of these students, it’s important to be aware of the challenges they may be facing and to be prepared to address them if the need arises.
Talking about obesity
When speaking about obesity, it is essential to emphasize that it is a medical condition, not merely a personal choice. Dispelling misconceptions about willpower or character is vital in fostering an understanding and supportive environment. Encourage students to seek support from friends, family, or a school counselor, and remind them that there are professionals available to help. Reiterate that they are not alone in the challenges they are facing.
Support for students facing weight bias
Just as physical health is prioritized, so too should mental health. Resources and support are readily available for those in need, reinforcing the message that seeking help is a sign of strength. By creating an atmosphere of empathy and understanding, you play a vital role in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Helpful resources
Check out these helpful online resources to learn more about navigating this sensitive topic:
Continue learning
Citations
- Child Activity: An Overview | Physical Activity Basics | CDC. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child activity: An Overview. Physical Activity Basics. January 8, 2024. Accessed October 17, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/children.html
- 2024 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth_FINAL. Physical Activity Alliance. The 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Washington, DC: Physical Activity Alliance, 2024.