How can we encourage children to be more active?

Sport and physical activities have numerous benefits for people of all ages. These include physical ones such as improved health and fitness as well as psychological benefits including mental health and wellbeing. But how can we encourage children to be more active? And what roles can schools play in this?

The current generation has been described as the least active generation with activity levels dropping throughout adolescence. There are no easy solutions, and it will take a collaborative effort to make a difference. But, creating as many opportunities as possible to try different activities and sports can help children and young people find the sport or activity that is the right fit for them.

In this blog, we outline what physical activity is, how much physical activity children should be getting, the wider benefits being active brings as well as different ways schools can encourage children and young people to get active.

What is physical activity?

As defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), physical activity is:

“Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.”

Physical activity refers to all movement during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work. It can vary from moderate intensity to more vigorous.

Common ways to get active include walking, cycling and jogging as well as sports and active recreation and play. What’s more, you can be physically active regardless of skill level and the enjoyment benefits are available for everyone.

How much physical activity should children get?

Different age groups require different amounts of physical activity. For example, younger children who aren’t yet walking require less physical activity at a much lower intensity than teenagers. The WHO outlines activity levels as follows:

• Children under the age of 5 who are not yet walking should be physically active several times a day. This may be floor-based movements such as rolling or crawling.
• Children under the age of 5 who are walking should receive at least 180 minutes (3 hours) activity including running or playing, throwing and catching or using a bike or scooter. The activity can be any intensity at this age.
• Children aged between 5 and 18 should be active for at least 60 minutes (1 hour) a day. This should ideally be of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity with vigorous-intensity activities taking place at least 3 days a week.

What are the benefits of getting active?

So, we now know what physical activity is and how much activity children should be getting. But what benefits does being physically active provide? According to the WHO, there are a number of key benefits including:

• Significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds
• Reduced levels of stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Enhanced thinking, learning and judgement skills
• Healthy growth and development in young people
• Improved overall well-being

When it comes to children, the benefits of getting active can be even more important. By incorporating movement and exercise within your classroom, you can help improve fitness, increase concentration and even improve academic scores.

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London UK also highlights the fact that inactive children are more likely to become inactive adults.

Put simply, by developing an active culture in your classroom and encouraging children to get active, you are equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. However, it is essential to continue to provide opportunities to maintain activity levels as they grow up.

How can schools encourage children to get active?

The benefits of getting children active are there for everyone to see. But, with schools and teachers facing greater demands on their time, how can they ensure they are making time to get active? To help start the conversation, we’ve provided five ways schools can incorporate physical activity within their daily schedule.

1. Active lessons

Lessons don’t have to be taught whilst seated at a desk. As highlighted above, incorporating movement and physical activity into the classroom can increase concentration and academic scores. Why not try introducing ‘stand up, sit down’ activities whilst teaching fractions, take your phonics lessons outdoors or even conduct your science practicals across the school site.

2. Open days

One-off sessions or open days either in school, sports clubs or local community facilities can often spark an interest in a new activity or sport. They are a great way for children to try their hand at a range of sports without committing to climbing a mountain or running a marathon.

3. Sports clubs

Joining forces with a local sports club is a great way to get children active. Whether it’s team sports such as football, cricket and basketball or something solo such as squash, tennis or golf, getting active at a club introduces young people to a whole new world of skills and experiences.

4. Sports festivals

The ultimate ‘try something new’ day! By bringing together a range of sports and activities that suit different personality types and abilities, students can experience new things, have fun and build their confidence. Trying something new in a familiar setting such as a school can help breakdown social barriers and the fear of the unknown.

5. Student-led initiatives

What better way to get young people active than by involving them in the decision making process? Let’s face it, some of the best ideas come straight from the students. Whether it’s de-stressing with yoga sessions, invigorating circuit training or a challenging obstacle course, getting creative with their ideas can give students a sense of ownership.

Remember, everyone is different!

We all want something different from exercising and this can change depending on our moods and what is going on in our home lives. For some it’s all about being part of a team. Some relish a solo challenge whilst others simply enjoy the social aspect of getting active. Working out what’s right for each person can take time and lots of trial and error. The main thing is enjoying the journey and taking those first steps.

We're always keen to hear about your experiences. So, if you have any interesting or different ways of getting children and young people active, please let us know.