National Heritage Academies Promote Winter Fitness for Kids with Fun Activities
As winter's chill descends, keeping children active can be quite challenging, especially in regions like Michigan where the temperatures fall to freezing and daylight becomes scarce. However, teachers at National Heritage Academies, such as those at Grand River Academy, are creatively inspiring students to maintain their activity levels during these cold months.
Innovative Wellness Challenges
At Grand River Academy, physical education teacher Hally Johns has implemented monthly wellness challenges designed to engage students in movement while making it enjoyable. With the slogan that their hearts should be 'popping like popcorn,' students submit photos and videos as they participate in activities such as jumping jacks and other exercises. Tracking their progress, students have rapidly embraced these challenges, with between 50 to 75 participants each month documenting their healthy habits.
Johns stated, "We talk about the difference between playing video games and actually engaging in activities that strengthen your heart. Parents have been supportive in encouraging their children to participate, which has been wonderful to see."
Combating the Winter Doldrums
For many families, the indoor lifestyle often adopted during winter can lead to an increase in sedentary behavior among children. This notion is tackled head-on by Brad Agee, the achievement and behavior support specialist at Cross Creek Charter Academy, who emphasizes that small increments of movement are more beneficial than trying to cram in extensive workouts during the weekends.
"It's so much easier to commit to just 10 minutes of activity a day rather than trying to catch up with 60 minutes on the weekend. This way, you maintain a level of fitness and avoid the subsequent soreness that usually follows intense, infrequent exercise sessions," Agee noted.
For extracurricular activities, Agee's school offers open gym periods where kids can engage in volleyball, basketball, and even an indoor ultimate league, allowing them to socialize and stay active throughout the winter months.
Outdoor Activities and Parent Guidance
Ridge Park Charter Academy's physical education teacher, Steve Mercado, advises families to embrace outdoor activities—even in winter conditions—provided they dress appropriately and stay hydrated. He recommends fun activities such as building snow forts, sledding, and engaging in snowball fights. Mercado emphasizes that even tasks like shoveling can contribute to getting physical exercise during the snowy months.
"While shoveling may not seem fun, it's a great way to get some exercise in, and I encourage families to incorporate as many outdoor activities as possible to break the monotony of being indoors all day, especially when the weather permits," Mercado expressed.
These initiatives emphasize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for children throughout the winter months, ensuring they develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
NHA's Commitment to Education
For those interested in enrolling their children in a supportive and proactive educational environment, National Heritage Academies operates 100 tuition-free public charter schools across nine states, serving over 68,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With various engaging programs aimed at fostering both academic and physical wellness, NHA remains dedicated to helping its students thrive.
To discover your nearest NHA school, visit their official website at nhaschools.com. By promoting fitness and wellness during winter months, National Heritage Academies continues to be a crucial part of the community, helping students stay active and healthy in their educational journeys.
Innovative Wellness Challenges
At Grand River Academy, physical education teacher Hally Johns has implemented monthly wellness challenges designed to engage students in movement while making it enjoyable. With the slogan that their hearts should be 'popping like popcorn,' students submit photos and videos as they participate in activities such as jumping jacks and other exercises. Tracking their progress, students have rapidly embraced these challenges, with between 50 to 75 participants each month documenting their healthy habits.
Johns stated, "We talk about the difference between playing video games and actually engaging in activities that strengthen your heart. Parents have been supportive in encouraging their children to participate, which has been wonderful to see."
Combating the Winter Doldrums
For many families, the indoor lifestyle often adopted during winter can lead to an increase in sedentary behavior among children. This notion is tackled head-on by Brad Agee, the achievement and behavior support specialist at Cross Creek Charter Academy, who emphasizes that small increments of movement are more beneficial than trying to cram in extensive workouts during the weekends.
"It's so much easier to commit to just 10 minutes of activity a day rather than trying to catch up with 60 minutes on the weekend. This way, you maintain a level of fitness and avoid the subsequent soreness that usually follows intense, infrequent exercise sessions," Agee noted.
For extracurricular activities, Agee's school offers open gym periods where kids can engage in volleyball, basketball, and even an indoor ultimate league, allowing them to socialize and stay active throughout the winter months.
Outdoor Activities and Parent Guidance
Ridge Park Charter Academy's physical education teacher, Steve Mercado, advises families to embrace outdoor activities—even in winter conditions—provided they dress appropriately and stay hydrated. He recommends fun activities such as building snow forts, sledding, and engaging in snowball fights. Mercado emphasizes that even tasks like shoveling can contribute to getting physical exercise during the snowy months.
"While shoveling may not seem fun, it's a great way to get some exercise in, and I encourage families to incorporate as many outdoor activities as possible to break the monotony of being indoors all day, especially when the weather permits," Mercado expressed.
These initiatives emphasize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for children throughout the winter months, ensuring they develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
NHA's Commitment to Education
For those interested in enrolling their children in a supportive and proactive educational environment, National Heritage Academies operates 100 tuition-free public charter schools across nine states, serving over 68,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With various engaging programs aimed at fostering both academic and physical wellness, NHA remains dedicated to helping its students thrive.
To discover your nearest NHA school, visit their official website at nhaschools.com. By promoting fitness and wellness during winter months, National Heritage Academies continues to be a crucial part of the community, helping students stay active and healthy in their educational journeys.
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