Little Lites Fit Kids
Fit Kids is our unique, fun and active Extended Schools / Afterschools / Alternative PE Exercise program for Primary School children. It is a fun and energetic class which encourages children to be more active and teaches them about the importance of exercise and how it will help them keep healthy now and as they grow. It lasts for 1 hour, although the time can be shortened to 45 minutes to fit better with your existing timetable.
It focuses on and enhances the 22 Fundamental Movement Skills as laid out in the NI PE Curriculum - improving balance, coordination, object control and movement- which are already taught in schools.
It follows the structure of a typical exercise class with a warm-up, main aerobic component and cool-down, but in a child friendly manner. We mobilise and stretch to warm-up, then we complete fun activities for our main, followed by quieter games for cool-down.
Fit Kids Afterschools are booked weekly over a 6 week period. The alternative PE class can be used to enhance your school’s existing PE time table, or it can be used as a stand-in for teachers on leave or on training courses. Schools can either block book 6-10 weeks of classes on an agreed time and day, or can book one-off classes on a mutually convenient time and day (a minimum of 1 week’s notice is required and instructor supply will be dependent upon availability).
The Importance of Exercise for Children:
There are many benefits of physical activity for children and young people. Evidence demonstrates that the physical fitness and health of children and young people are substantially enhanced by frequent physical activity. The direct health benefits of physical activity for children and young people include:
- Improved cardiovascular and metabolic health;
- Improved cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular fitness;
- Stronger bones;
- More favourable body fat composition;
- Prevention of overweight and obesity; and
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In addition to the health benefits listed above, childhood physical activity can also improve health in adulthood and improve cognitive skills and academic behaviour and provide opportunities for social interaction, achievement and mental well-being.
The government recommended amounts of exercise for children has changed. It is now recommended that:
"Children and young people (5-18 year olds) should receive:
60 minutes and up to several hours every day of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. Three days a week should include vigorous intensity activities that strengthen muscle and bone."
(http://www.bhfactive.org.uk/userfiles/Documents/factsheetchildren.pdf)
The government recognises that:
"Schools have an important role to play in helping young people reach the recommended levels of physical activity and need to be encouraged and supported to make a commitment to its promotion through initiatives like the NHSS. (National Healthy School Standard).
Physical activity has a valuable role to play in helping schools to fulfil the National Curriculum requirements for Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE), due to the positive effect of physical activity on the social, moral and psychological development of children and young people.
Despite the many benefits, the majority of children and young people are not taking part in sufficient physical activity to accrue health benefits."
(http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/documents/physical_activity_report__v.pdf)
Fit Kids can help your school or facility to redress the balance and allow the children in your care to achieve these recommended minimum amounts of physical activity.
All our Fit Kids Instructors are fully trained, vetted and insured.
For further information and to book your Fit Kids Program call Mary Gates on (028) 8776 9415.