Supporting Children's Health and Wellbeing Through Physical Activity

Physical activity is one of the best ways for children to stay healthy and well. Being active not only promotes better physical health, but it also supports cognition, relieves stress and anxiety, improves sleep and boosts immunity—all of which are extremely important for coping effectively with the effects of the pandemic, social issues, and other challenges that many children and families have faced.

School and home environments are both well-positioned to help kids be physically active. With major disruptions to normal routines during the past year, however, it can be difficult for educators, parents, and caregivers to know how to adapt and help students integrate regular movement and activity into their daily lives.

This week we have compiled the resources below to provide guidance and ideas for supporting students' health and overall wellbeing through physical activity.
Resources
Benefits of School-Based Physical Activity
The benefits of physical activity extend beyond physical health and include improved classroom behaviors and better attendance. There are benefits to communities as well. This new infographic from the CDC highlights these and other benefits.
Active Schools: Guide to Engaging Parents in School Physical Education and Physical Activity
School and home environments are both well-positioned to help kids meet recommended levels of physical activity. This guide from Active Schools provides ideas and suggestions for how teachers and school health educators can help engage parents in supporting physical activity opportunities for their children.
Moving More at Home
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation offers many free and downloadable tools, resources, games and activities to help families and school staff incorporate physical activities into children's daily routines.
Health Education: Evidence-Informed Practice Brief
Health education includes structured learning to help students engage in healthy decision-making and behaviors. This brief highlights the interconnectedness of physical activity and health education with other outcomes, such as academic, social, emotional, and behavioral.
CHHCS Resources
Assessing Social Influencers of Health and Education
Partner Build Grow:
An Action Guide for Sustaining Child Development and Prevention Approaches
Resources for Response to COVID-19 in Schools
Including resources for schools, teachers and parents.
Grant Alerts
Fuel Up To Play 60 Grants | Fuel Up To Play 60
Funding to improve healthy eating and physical activity opportunities in K-12 schools. Learn more.
Deadline: April 28, 2021
Youth Football and Lacrosse Program Grants | Voya
Funding to provide coaching, mentorship, financial assistance with focus on footbal and lacrosse. Learn more.
Deadline: June 1, 2021
COVID-19 Student Support Recovery Grant | School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network
Funding to support LEAs and schools to implement mental healthcare programs, including supporting placement of mental health professionals. Learn more.
Deadline: Not defined
Please note that CHHCS does not administer funding opportunities. Please refer to each organization for additional direction and details.
Job Opportunities
School Psychologist | DC Public Schools (Washington, DC)
Diagnose and evaluate mental and emotional disorders of Special Education students, and administer programs of treatment. Learn more.
Parent Advocate for School Response Team | Association to Benefit Children (New York, NY)
Offer parent support with the referral process to the School Response Team, work as advocate for parents and families. Learn more.
Student Success Counselor | YouthBuild Public Charter School (Washington, DC)
Provide counseling and group programming to enable students to set and achieve goals, and overcome obstacles to success. Learn more.
Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator | Public Citizens for Children and Youth (Philadelphia, PA)
Build and advance PCCY's ability to increase child wellness in Philadelphia through collaboration and substantial system change. Learn more.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
April 28, 2021 3:00 PM ET
Hosted by Alliance for a Healthier Generation
May 5, 2021 3:00 PM ET
Hosted by National Center for School Mental Health
June 2, 2021 3:00 PM ET
Hosted by National Center for School Mental Health
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) Weekly Insider is a web-enhanced newsletter that offers news alerts, grant announcements and general web site updates delivered directly to your email box on a weekly basis. The Center is located at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
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