Blogs




Addressing Weight Bias in the Classroom

January 6, 2020

Today, 30% of Canadian children, aged 5-17, have overweight or obesity and one in 10 children has experienced or is experiencing some forms of weight bias at school and their own home.


Take the Classroom Outside at Least Once a Week

December 5, 2019

A recent study has found that by taking the classroom outside and learning outdoors for just one lesson per week improved students well being, ability to learn and pro social behavior. That’s just one lesson per week for huge benefits! To read the entire report “Nature Nurtures Children” click here.



Mindfulness: Exercising Your Mind and Body!

October 22, 2019

In today’s world, finding a quiet moment for yourself is often difficult! Being constantly connected in an ever-bustling environment, remembering to take time for yourself to reflect and refresh – otherwise known as mindfulness, can be overlooked pretty easily.

Revised Healthy Drinks Healthy Kids Resource

October 8, 2019

Canada’s new Food Guide recommends making water your drink of choice as a great way to stay healthy and hydrated without calories. Healthy drink options other than water can include unsweetened milk, such as 1% or 2% milk, or unsweetened fortified plant-based beverages such as soy or almond beverages.


Simple Connections – Stronger Families

September 24, 2019

Family resiliency is the ability of a family system to experience stress and not only recover from the stress, but come out of it stronger and healthier than before. It’s about more than just coping or surviving. It’s about bouncing forward.

Rethinking Physical Activity Messaging for Youth: A Focus on Fun

September 11, 2019

The annual grade ParticipACTION awarded to youth for overall physical activity in Canada for this year was a D+. This is incredibly low, and clearly indicates something is wrong with our society’s approach to physical activity. So, what must change?



Sodium and kids: how can schools help kids eat healthy?

June 4, 2019

 

School age children need between 1200 – 1500 mg of sodium (salt) per day. The upper limit is 2300 mg per day. (The upper limit is the highest level likely to not cause harm; it is not a recommended level of intake).

Neuromuscular Training Warm Up for Injury Prevention

May 7, 2019

We all know that participating in physical activity and sport poses its own risk of injury, however most of these injuries are preventable.  A three year study in Calgary junior high schools with the partnership of the University of Calgary’s Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre (SIPRC) and Ever Active Schools showed that students who participated in a neuromuscular training warm up had a significant decrease in lower body injuries compared to their peers (Emery, et al., 2018).


Quality Recess Makes a Big Difference

March 28, 2019

Recently I read an article in which a mother details the conversation she had with her two sons about their experience with indoor recess through the cold winter.  The kids said that indoor recess was “more fun” and “more safe,” they liked it better.  This conversation lead to an article in the Globe and Mail titled “When Kids Dread Recess, We Have a Problem.”  You can read the entire article here.


Tools to Create a Calm Classroom

February 24, 2019

With the rates of anxiety increasing and appearing at younger and younger ages, the importance of creating a calm environment for our students is becoming more and more important.  There are a variety of resources out there that can support teachers in their efforts to create a calm classroom.



Children, Teens and Screens

January 15, 2019

Ask any parent, teacher or school administrator their thoughts on the subject of children and the impacts of digital technology and you will be offered a variety of thoughts and experiences.

Register Your School for Winter Walk Day 2019

January 10, 2019

Winter Walk Day is on February 6, 2019, get your school registered today!  Winter Walk Day is organized by SHAPE Alberta who vision is to see Albertan students choose Active Transportation for the school journey.  This one day event encourages people across Alberta to be active outdoors in winter.



Active Today, Active For Life

November 27, 2018

Ashley Fox, BKin, CSEP-CEP & Integrative Health Coach

University of Calgary, Be Fit For Life Centre

When it comes to leading a physically active lifestyle, the benefits are endless and the messages often seem simple, find something you like to do and you will be more likely to do it.

Sugar Shocker!!!

November 6, 2018

Sugar makes foods and drinks taste good which adds flavor and enjoyment to eating.


Keeping Girls in Sport

October 10, 2018

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities in partnership with the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport (CAAWS) and the Coaching Association of Canada have developed an online learning resource called Keeping Girls in Sport.  It is designed for organizations, coaches and youth activity leaders who help mentor and coach young girls.


Are you ready for HASS?

September 25, 2018

This year’s Healthy Active School Symposia (HASS) will be held Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Esplanade in Medicine Hat.