Physical Activity and Schools
Background Information
 

français

About this site

Canada's Physical Activity Guide

Background Information

Sources/References

Canadian Association for School Health

Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Health Canada (Fitness & Active Living Program)

User Survey

Submit a Lesson Plan



This section provides a summary and several key links on how schools can teach physical education and promote physical activity. Please visit the CAHPERD website for more extensive resources, teaching tips and other information.
  1. Health Risks from Inactivity, Key Messages to Youth
Sedentary lifestyles are reaching epidemic proportions among Canadian children. Read this summary with links to the latest research. There are also several key documents describing the most effective messages that should be communicated to youth. Use this section in parent meetings and in lobbying for more teaching time and resources.
  2. The Rationale for School and Teacher Rules in Promoting Physical Activity
This summary and selected links is also useful in advocating for physical education and for a whole school approach that involves students, parents and the community. The connection between PE and academic achievement, as well as PE and lifetime physical activity patterns is documented.
  3. Best or Promising Practices in PE
This brief description and selected links will be useful to new teachers and for explaining your teaching approach. Read about practical strategies and programs that PE teachers can use in the gym and the school.
  4.       

Teaching Within a Comprehensive, School-Community Approach
Physical education classes are only part of how educators and others can promote physical activity. Activity in regular class time, extracurricular activities, parent involvement, intramurals, adequate and safe facilities and equipment, community access and use of community facilities, student leadership and other aspects of school life are also important. Use this section to locate ideas that you can suggest to others in your school and community.

 

Recommended Readings:
 
bullet All You Need to Know About QDPE (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Physical Education 2000: Foundations, Guidelines and Outcomes (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Canadian Coalition for QDPE (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Making the Case for PE (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Catalogue of Resources for PE Teachers (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Physical Activity Monitor (Canadian Fitness & Lifestyle Research Institute)
 
bullet  Childhood Obesity: An Alarming Trend (Canadian Health Network) 
 
bullet Influences on Children's Activity (Canadian Fitness & Lifestyle Research Institute)
 
bullet Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Children (Health Canada)
 
bullet Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Youth (Health Canada
 
bullet The School QDPE Report Card (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Examples of Promising Practices (Alberta Ever Active Program)
 
bullet PE Planner for Teachers (Department of Education, United Kingdom)
 
bullet School Health Index (PE & Nutrition) (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
 
bullet Schools Conducive to Physical Activity (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute)
 
bullet Active Living Schools (CAHPERD)
 
bullet The Preventative Role of Active School Communities (National Roundtable on Active School Communities)
 
bullet Canadian Active Living Challenge (CAHPERD)
 
bullet Guidelines to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity (Center for Disease Control, United States)