Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle: National Fitness Day Activities for Primary School
Join us in celebrating National Fitness Day and inspire your pupils towards a healthier lifestyle. Incorporate fun and engaging fitness activities into your primary school PE classes. Together, we can promote a lifelong commitment to fitness and well-being for our children.
National Fitness Day is a dedicated day that encourages people of all ages to engage in physical activity and adopt a healthier lifestyle. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying fit and active, especially for young children. In this blog, we will explore the history of National Fitness Day and understand why it is crucial to promote it in Primary School PE. We will discuss various National Fitness Day activities that you can implement to inspire and motivate your children towards a healthier lifestyle.
What is National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day, celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of September, is an initiative by ukactive, a leading not-for-profit organization in the UK. This day aims to raise awareness about the significance of physical activity and its positive impact on overall health and well-being. It encourages individuals to participate in various fitness activities, regardless of their age or fitness level.
As well as bringing people together through physical activity, this year the movement encourages you “to view this day as just one step in a much bigger journey. Because after all, your health is for life.”
This is a crucial message we can pass on to help motivate and inspire pupils to lead healthy, active lives.
Our Calendar Resources for National Fitness Day are a great starting point, with new, one off activities to help celebrate, motivate and raise awareness.
History of National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day has grown into a nationwide event. It was inspired by the success of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which showcased the importance of physical activity and its ability to bring people together. The day is supported by numerous organisations, sports clubs, leisure centres, and workplaces, who organise events and activities to promote fitness and healthy living.
Why is it important to promote National Fitness Day in Primary School
Promoting National Fitness Day in primary schools is crucial because it helps lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Regular physical activity has huge benefits for children. These include improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones and muscles, enhanced coordination and motor skills, and better mental well-being. By instilling the importance of fitness and physical activity at a young age, we can help children develop lifelong habits that promote a healthier future.
Furthermore, engaging in physical activity can have a positive impact on performance and behaviour in the classroom. Research has shown that regular exercise improves concentration, memory, and cognitive abilities. By incorporating National Fitness Day activities into the school curriculum, teachers can create a holistic learning environment that nurtures both the body and the mind.
What can teachers do to inspire and motivate children
Teachers play a vital role in inspiring and motivating children to participate in National Fitness Day activities. Here are some strategies you can implement to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage children to embrace physical activity.
- Lead by example: Act as role models by engaging in physical activities and sharing them with your class. By participating alongside pupils, teachers can demonstrate the importance of exercise and create a supportive environment.
- Make it fun: Incorporate games, challenges, and interactive activities that make fitness enjoyable. We have a Fitness unit of work for every year group (Foundation to Year 6). These lessons are fun, and will keep your class engaged and motivated throughout. They are also accompanied by video demonstrations and guidance notes to make them easy to follow and deliver.
- Variety is key: Provide a diverse range of activities to cater to different interests and abilities. These should include invasion games, outdoor adventure activities, gymnastics, dance and athletics. By offering a variety of options, children can find activities that resonate with them and feel more motivated to participate. Speak to your PE Coordinator about your PE Long Term Plan, or take a look in our Curriculum resources for examples.
- Set goals and rewards: Encourage children to set fitness goals and track their progress. This could be done through activity journals or fitness challenges. Provide rewards or incentives for achieving milestones, such as certificates, badges, or recognition in school assemblies. This helps children stay focused and motivated to continue their fitness journey.
Celebrate National Fitness Day in Primary School
Promote National Fitness Day in your primary school to instil healthy habits in your children from an early age. And pass the message on… By understanding the significance of physical activity, teachers can inspire and motivate children towards a lifelong commitment to fitness. Leading by example, making it fun, offering variety, and setting goals, you can create an environment that encourages children to embrace an active lifestyle. Let us all come together and celebrate National Fitness Day, promoting a healthier future for our children.
If there’s anything we can help with, as always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are with you every step of the way for all your PE, Sport and Physical Activity needs.
Join us in celebrating National Fitness Day and inspire your pupils towards a healthier lifestyle. Incorporate fun and engaging fitness activities into your primary school PE classes. Together, we can promote a lifelong commitment to fitness and well-being for our children.
