Students who are physically active are better prepared to focus and learn in school. Educators can explore the sections below to learn more about how to provide a healthy learning environment that encourages movement and creativity. Providing opportunities for students to move throughout the school day is one way to support a comprehensive school health approach.
Engaging in physical activity
- Enhances self-esteem, confidence, and resilience
- Improves problem solving and decision-making skills
- Strengthens teamwork, co-operation, and social skills
- Supports the development of healthy bodies, hearts, and minds
Funding opportunities for schools
- Active school travel pilot program - BC Healthy Communities
- Healthy schools BC: Grants - Healthy Schools BC
- IMAGINE grants - Northern Health
International recommendations
- International school-related sedentary behaviour recommendations - Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN)
National resources
- Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth (ages 5-17) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Report card on physical activity for children and youth - ParticipACTION
- Teen toolkit: Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth (PDF) - ParticipACTION
Northern Health resources
- School and youth health: Physical activity - Northern Health
Provincial and national initiatives
- Be active every day - Doctors of BC
- GoByBike for schools (previously Bike to School Week) - GoByBike BC
- International walk to school month - Ontario Active School Travel
- School physical activity and physical literacy project - School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy
- Take me outside day - Take Me Outside
Resources for teachers
- Classroom and school resources - Healthy Schools BC
- Elementary teachers’ toolkit - Active for Life
- Physical education activities - PHE Canada (PHE)
- Physical education lesson plans - Ever Active Schools
- Physical and health education Canada: Activate - PHE Canada (PHE)
- Physical and health education Canada: Programs - PHE Canada (PHE)
- School physical activity and physical literacy project: Indigenous resources - School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy
- School physical activity and physical literacy project: School resources - School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy
- Sedentary behaviour in schools: An infographic (PDF) - Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada