Promoting Physical Activity at School

Curriculum, teaching and learning

Elementary

• Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (aged 5-17): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep (external link)
  The guidelines describe the recommended daily balance of sleep, sedentary behaviours and physical activities children and youth require for healthy development.
• Daily Physical Activity (DPA) - Ophea (external link)
  It includes resources to support Daily Physical Activity.
• Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.)
  P.A.L.S. is a peer-led playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size or ability.
• At My Best (external link)
  At My Best is a free, comprehensive, curriculum-supported program focusing on physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being for grades JK - 6.
• Active for Life (external link)
  Active for Life contains resources that educators, caregivers, and program leaders can use to help children to develop physical literacy.

Elementary & secondary

• Ministry of Education Health and Physical Education Curriculum (external link)
  The site has all grade level curriculum expectations for elementary and secondary schools.
• Ophea - Ontario Health and Physical Education Association (external link)
  Ophea supports schools and communities through quality program supports, partnerships and advocacy to enable children and youth to lead healthy active lives.
• ParticipACTION (external link)
  Online resources include the Report Card on the comprehensive assessment of child and youth physical activity in Canada.
• Passport for Life Physical Literacy Project of PHE Canada (external link)
  This resource for teachers and students K - 12 supports awareness, assessment, development and advancement of physical literacy. Access and download support materials: tools, guidelines, instructional strategies, videos, assessment forms, guides to interpret and use the results to improve physical literacy. It includes Passport for Life: Physical Literacy FAQ (external link).
• Passport for Life: Physical Literacy FAQ (external link)
  This resource for teachers and students K - 12 supports awareness, assessment, development and advancement of physical literacy. Access and download support materials: tools, guidelines, instructional strategies, videos, assessment forms, guides to interpret and use the results to improve physical literacy.
• PHE Canada - Physical and Health Education Canada (external link)
  Resources are related to school-based physical and health education, including the provision of Quality Daily Physical Education and Quality School Health.
• Tips to Get Active (external link)
  The Public Health Agency of Canada has created information and tips for parents, teachers and caregivers of children (5 - 11 years) (external link) and youth (12 - 17 years) (external link) to help build physical activity into a healthy lifestyle.

Social and physical environments

Elementary

• EcoSchools (external link)
  This Ontario environmental education resource for elementary and secondary grades is based on the Ontario Curriculum.
• Jump Rope for Heart (external link) 
  The Heart and Stroke Foundation's national fundraising program helps to get kids physically active. Includes event tips, tools and classroom resources.
• Mega Hoops (external link)
  Ontario Basketball's inclusive basketball clinic is designed for children and youth in grades 3 - 8. Mega Hoops also offers comprehensive teaching tools to implement a successful basketball component into a class or recreation program.
• Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.)
  P.A.L.S. is a peer-led playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size or ability.
• Playground Markings
  • Creative Playgrounds: Provides tarmac painting with an accompanying ready to use resource guide “Active Playgrounds”. Workshops are also available.
  • Precise Pavement/ Gym and Field Marking (external link): This tarmac and field painting resource can be used to create individual plans to meet the unique needs of each school.

Elementary & secondary

• Active and Safe Routes to School (external link)
  This community-based initiative taps into the demand for safe, walkable neighbourhoods. This site provides resources, tools, information and links for schools and communities.
  • Active and Safe Routes Planning Toolkit (external link): Used to improve road safety and build walkable communities.
  • Safe and Active Routes Special Events (external link): Includes practical tips to launch an event, classroom resources and many evaluation tools.
• Physical Activity Resources for Professionals
  Information and resources help promote physical activity and active living in school communities.
• ParticipACTION
  ParticipACTION is committed to inspiring the nation to engage all children and youth in physical activity. This site has programs, tools, tips, articles and fact sheets that will help get children active.
• Steps to Inclusion – Ophea (external link)
  This resource supports the belief that everyone deserves and benefits from physical activity programs based on the simple principles of inclusivity, respect and participation.

Elementary

• Canadian Active After School Partnership (external link)
  After school programming can be challenging. With these online tools you can select a variety of activities to map out your daily program.

Elementary & secondary

• Heart and Stroke Foundation (external link)
  It provides resources for teachers, parents and children to promote healthy living.
• Ophea - Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (external link)
  Resources, programs and services help teachers to address health and physical educational strands of the Ontario curriculum.
• ParticipACTION (external link)
  ParticipACTION is a national not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to inspiring and supporting active living and sport participation for Canadians.
• PHE Canada - Physical & Health Education Canada (external link)
  Support schools in becoming “Health Promoting Schools”, which includes the provision of Quality Daily Physical Education and Quality School Health. Support schools through a range of programs, resources and initiatives.
• PRO - Parks and Recreation Ontario (external link)
  The non-profit organization provides information, advocacy and services to enhance the quality of life for people in Ontario.
• YMCA Burlington (external link)
  YMCA has many programs for youth aged 13 - 17.
• YMCA Oakville (external link)
  YMCA has many programs for youth aged 13 - 17.