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Does Your Children's School Promote a Healthy Lifestyle?
Wheel Life column - 22 January, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

In this column we often emphasize the importance of regular, life-long physical activity for health and well-being. How can we instill these habits in children? Parents can lead by example: studies show that active parents inspire active kids.

Schools have an important role, too. Today we'll help grade your children's schools for supporting healthy physical activity.

The first thing to note is whether your school encourages students to arrive by walking or cycling. Although just a few decades ago most children got to school under their own power, nearly 50% of B.C. children are now driven by car.

Of course there are many reasons for this shift, but it's important to realize that we do children no favor by chauffeuring them for trips that could be done by cycling or walking. Schools that encourage non-motorized transportation are experiencing significant results and positive benefits.

Willows Elementary School Principal, Randy Kaneen, has noticed a difference since parents at his Oak Bay school introduced the Way to Go! School Program (a traffic reduction initiative for B.C. elementary and middle schools) last year.

"I think the program is fantastic. It makes a lot of sense, both for the environment and physically in terms of health for the children." He noted that although promotion efforts level off during the winter, the school continues to get more than 80% participation during their regular "Walkin' Wheelin' Wednesdays".

More than 90% of students participated in special event days like National Walk a Child to School Day earlier in the school year, and Kaneen is confident they will again. "The program brings the community together and it's lots of fun. That's the key."

This spring, Way to Go! is encouraging schools to promote active transportation from April 26 (Earth Week) to Clean Air Day (June 7). For more information about Way to Go!, Earth to Clean Air Day, International Walk to School Day (October 4, 2000), or to request a free resource kit, call 388-0781, e-mail kort@islandnet.com, or visit website http://www.waytogo.icbc.bc.ca/.

Next, consider the school's physical education program. Some children naturally excel at sports, but other children are excluded and discouraged by traditional, competitive games, and PE classes often devote more time to waiting for a turn to play than to physical activity. Many adults still cringe at their unhappy memories of gym class.

Newer programs encourage children to feel joy in physical activity, and teach basic sports skills, such as running, jumping and throwing. This is particularly important for children who are less physically able.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control's "Guidelines for Schools and Community Programs" (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/physact.htm) offers these suggestions for PE programs to meet health goals:

• Emphasize enjoyable participation in physical activities that are easily done throughout life.
• Offer a diverse range of noncompetitive and competitive activities appropriate for different ages and abilities.
• Give young people the skills and confidence they need to be physically active.
• Promote physical activity through all components of a coordinated school health program and develop links between school and community programs.
• Implement sequential physical education curricula and instruction in grades K-12 that emphasize enjoyable participation in lifetime physical activities such as walking and dancing, not just competitive sports.
• Help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle.
• Keep students active for most of class time.

Another good resource is the SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) program, developed by the U.S. National Institute of Health to help teachers develop fun and healthy PE activities. SPARK activities encourage maximum student participation during class time, as well as promote regular physical activity outside of school. For information visit http://www.foundation.sdsu.edu/projects/spark

Next month is Heart Month, the perfect time to promote the value of daily physical activity. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C and the Yukon has fun resources that families and schools can use to encourage heart healthy habits among children. Call 1-888-473-4636 for information about "Heart Smart Kids" curriculum programs for grades K-6, or "The Heart Smart Kids Family Fun Pack" to share with children, aged 5 through pre-teen, at home.

The Bike Smarts: Safe Cycling Program is a great way to introduce school children to the joys of cycling and encourage safe riding habits. This made-in-B.C. curriculum for teachers and youth leaders provides an easy-to-follow instructor's handbook plus incentives for students. Call 1-800-565-7727 or e-mail jwsporta@istar.ca for more information.