Healthy Active Children Training Guide
HEALTHY ACTIVE CHILDREN RESOURCE SHEET
Resources for Principals (www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/health)
Healthy Active Children Policy HSP-S-000
Appropriate and Inappropriate Practices
Move More: North Carolina’s Recommended Standards for Physical Activity in School
Teacher evaluation review form
Physical education program evaluation as a demonstration school
The Balanced Curriculum documents can be a great resource in transitioning schools. These documents are located
at www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum.
A Balanced Curriculum: A Guiding Document for Scheduling and Implementation of the NC Standard Course of
Study at the Elementary Level and
A Balanced Curriculum: A Guiding Document for Scheduling and Implementation of the NC Standard Course of
Study in the Middle Grades
Resources for Teachers (www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/health)
www.FitKidsNC.com Web site: A new resource-based website that will provide information and hands-on
support materials for teachers, parents and community leaders.
Elementary and Middle School Energizers: www.ncpe4me.com
Classroom Management Techniques
http://www.theteachersguide.com/ClassManagement.htm
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/
http://drwilliampmartin.tripod.com/classm.html
Creating a Physically Active Classroom Atmosphere
National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Teacher Toolbox for teachers
Inclusive Physical Education
LEP students in Physical Education
Appropriate and Inappropriate Practices
“North Carolina Intramural Handbook: Active Living Through Sport and Activity www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/health/resources
Physical education program evaluation as a demonstration school
www.d2f.org
www.pecentral.org
Healthy Active Children Resources
Below is a short compilation of data and articles related to the Healthy Active Children
(HAC) policy. Please visit the following websites for more links and information, as well
as the Be Active North Carolina website:
http://www.beactivenc.org.
Action Based Learning
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com
Action for Healthy Kids
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org
Brain Connection
http://www.brainconnection.com
Brain Gym
http://www.braingym.com
KidsHealth
http://www.kidshealth.org
Understanding and Promoting Physical Activity
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/chap6.htm
Physical Activity Fundamental to Preventing Disease
Economic Consequences of Inactivity
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/physicalactivity
EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Health benefits can be derived simply from becoming more physically active, but studies
show that the greatest benefits come from engaging in planned and structured exercise.
Mental focus and concentration levels in children are proven to significantly improve
after engaging in structured physical activity.
Some of the effects of physical activity on children, as well as young adults:
- Able to maintain cognitive abilities.
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article09.pl
- Increase in certain neuro-chemical levels that can offset or prevent certain
pathological diseases as children grow.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/physicalactivity
- Increase bone density.
http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/exercise.htm
- Anxiety reduction.
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article01.pl
- Improves one’s body image and mood.
http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/exercise.htm
- Give higher self-esteem.
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/exercise/sports/exercise_wise.html
- Perform better academically and achieve better grades.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/114/11/1214
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article02.pl
- Weight control through caloric expenditure (lower obesity).
http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/exercise.htm
- Increase brain function by keeping the brain active and healthy.
http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/sdreads/docs/spielmannactionresearch.pdf
EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE BRAIN
Movement prepares the brain for optimal learning. When we exercise, our bodies
balance
brain chemicals, hormones, and system functions needed for thinking and learning.
Physical activity also helps release certain chemicals that are good for the body, listed
below.
- Elevated levels of glucose, serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine inhibit hunger
and balance behavior.
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article01.pl
- Increase blood and oxygen flow into the brain.
http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/sdreads/docs/spielmannactionresearch.pdf
- Reduce symptoms of depression.
http://www.brainconnection.com/content/13_1/
- Cortical alertness.
- Improvement in cognitive functions that are rooted in the frontal and prefrontal
regions of the brain.
http://www.fi.edu/brain/exercise.htm
- Increase growth factors that help create new nerve cells (brain cell regeneration
and growth).
- Stimulates calcium metabolic hormones and increases blood calcium levels.
https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4970
- Increases chemicals that help cognition.
http://www.brainconnection.com/content/13_1/
- Increases the speed of recall.
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article09.pl
LATERAL MOVEMENTS
Lateral movements, or movements from side to side, are also proven to improve brain
function and increase learning. Games involving side-stepping motions - like tag and
jumping jacks - involve lateral movements.
- Assists in accurately reproducing shapes and numbers.
- Assists in mental concentration, planning and decision-making.
http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/cgi-bin/article01.pl
CROSSING THE MIDLINE
Physical activities such as juggling, throwing, and the grapevine step help with learning
as well. These activities engage auditory, visual, lateral and participatory midlines.
- Helps in reading, spelling, listening, math, writing, speech process closure,
penmanship, creative writing, long-term recall, short-term memory storage,
organization, computation, and oral and written comprehension.
http://www.newhopecharitablefoundation.org/id26.html
- Increases the blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/sdreads/docs/spielmannactionresearch.pdf
- Increases brain alertness.
- Improves hand-eye coordination.