Physical activity helps improve kids’ ability to learn. Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) supports educators, students and families to promote physical activity in schools.
Quality Daily Physical Activity (QDPA)
Elementary schools in Ontario must provide students with at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. QDPA helps to improve:
- Self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image
- Grades and test scores
- Classroom behaviours
- Feelings of social connection
- Sense of belonging, especially for children with developmental or learning differences
Suggestions for schools
Help students at your school to be physically active by:
- Providing quality physical education programs that build physical literacy
- Building physical activity breaks into classroom lessons
- Encouraging students to participate in intramurals and sports teams
- Supporting RAP programs at your school
- Promoting and supporting Active and Safe Routes to School programs
QDPA resources and websites
- Quality Daily Physical Education – Physical and Health Education Canada
- Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities – Ontario Physical Health Education Association (OPHEA)
- Quality Assessment to Support the Development of Physical Literacy Skills in Health and Physical Education – OPHEA
- Canadian Intramural Recreation Association Ontario
Recess Ambassadors for the Playground (RAP)
Please contact a member of the Healthy Schools Team to learn more about starting an RAP program at your school.
Our RAP program trains intermediate and senior grade students as peer leaders to engage primary grade students in a variety of fun physical activities to build physical literacy. We can determine the frequency, timing and ages of the participants according to your school’s needs and resources.
The RAP program creates healthier school communities by:
- Encouraging all students to be more physically active
- Promoting physical literacy
- Reducing bullying behaviour and sedentary boredom
- Facilitating leadership opportunities for students by encouraging responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating recess play activities and resolving conflict
- Providing opportunities for teamwork
Active and Safe Routes to School
SWPH is a partner in Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS). We are a group of community organizations supporting active transportation to school in St. Thomas, London, and Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford Counties.
Explore the ASRTS website for local resources
Learn more about active transportation in your community on our Walking, Hiking, Biking page.
iWalk to School Month
October is International Walk (iWalk) to School Month. Your school can participate by encouraging active transportation to and from school. Find more information and resources for International Walk to School Month from Ontario Active School Travel.