GoodLife4Kids School Program infuses classes with yoga, dance, and fitness skills at no cost to schools
LONDON, ON, May 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Grade 4 students in communities across Canada have been busy expanding their physical activity horizons and developing lifelong skills with the help of a new fitness program created by GoodLife Kids Foundation. The GoodLife4Kids School Program partners with elementary school teachers to teach kids fun and engaging ways to get active.
The GoodLife4Kids School Program shares the expertise and passion of fitness professionals with schools in a two-year partnership. As part of the program, GoodLife4Kids coaches and teachers work together to facilitate a game-based approach to teaching the basics of yoga, dance and fitness. This cooperative model gives teachers and students a chance to learn more about fitness and builds skills.
GoodLife Kids Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to helping kids lead healthy active lives, engaged leading child fitness expert, Kim Simpson PhD, to develop the program and lead its first year. Simpson holds a doctorate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Western University with a focus on child and youth health. "We knew there were passionate fitness professionals who wanted to share their love of movement with young Canadians" says Simpson. "Through GoodLife Kids Foundation's grant program, we had heard from many teachers looking for this kind of expert fitness support for their students. Creating this partnership seemed like a natural fit." Simpson explains that grade 4 is great age to introduce the program as it can be a period of transition to a more sport-focused curriculum. "We know there are many children who don't develop a love of sports and competition. For us, fitness is naturally inclusive, lifelong skill-building, and fun for everyone."
The program had a successful launch during the last half of the 2014-2015 school year, with 12 schools immediately embracing the chance to work together. This year, the program experienced rapid expansion to 78 schools helping over 3500 kids learn basic fitness skills.
At Hugh Cairns V.C. School in Saskatoon, 55 grade 4 students are taking part in the GoodLife4Kids School Program. Once a week, fitness coach Amy Peters visits the school and leads fun fitness activities alongside physical education teacher Daryl Lesyshyn. The two have introduced students to new skills including a variety of yoga poses.
"The GoodLife4Kids School Program is helping make fitness fun and accessible for all kids, not just those who are considered traditionally athletic," says Lesyshyn. "The students come to feel a sense of personal accomplishment and we're all learning new activities to carry forward, myself included!"
Grade 4 teachers interested in enhancing their school's physical activity programming can learn more by visiting www.goodlifekids.com/school-program/overview.
MEDIA NOTE
Interviews available with Kim Simpson, PhD. B-roll footage and photos also available upon request.
ABOUT GOODLIFE KIDS FOUNDATION
GoodLife Kids Foundation is a private foundation with a vision for every Canadian kid to have the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. To-date, GoodLife Kids Foundation has impacted over 237,000 Canadian children through physical activity opportunities supported by the GoodLife4Kids School Program, Grant Program and Win4Kids contest.
To learn more about GoodLife Kids Foundation's programs, go to goodlifekids.com.
Join the conversation on getting kids active: facebook.com/goodlifekids and @goodlifekids
GoodLife Fitness covers 100% of our administrative and operational expenses so that every dollar raised will make the biggest impact on the lives of Canadian kids.
SOURCE GoodLife Kids Foundation
Image with caption: "GoodLife4Kids Coach Jennifer Zammit demonstrates proper squat form with a group of grade four students. (CNW Group/GoodLife Kids Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160509_C2536_PHOTO_EN_685300.jpg
Image with caption: "GoodLife4Kids School Program infuses classes with yoga, dance, and fitness skills at no cost to schools (CNW Group/GoodLife Kids Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160509_C2536_PHOTO_EN_685302.jpg
MEDIA CONTACT: Melinda Mathes, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Kids Foundation, [email protected], 226-378-1650, www.goodlifekids.com
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