Fit by 5 is an organized fitness program that is simple, yet it helps Chapel School children learn about physical fitness and creates a foundation for a lifestyle that is active and healthy.
Each day, each of our age groups participates in a monthly fitness activity. In September, the fitness is as easy and basic as hoop runs – children run from one hula hoop to another gradually building the number of runs they complete by the end of the month. Skills shift from running, to moving sideways, backwards and balancing. Bouncing a ball, throwing a ball or even a snowball are incorporated later in the year. Simple modified push-ups and sit-ups are also a part of the program that assist with arm strength and working on core muscles.
Through this program, the children learn that encouragement from peers is a wonderful motivator and it teaches them how to be part of a team. The activities assist them with learning how to follow directions, work on motor skills, increase awareness of the body in space, strengthen social and language skills and assist with a good self concept by participating in a success orientated task. One of the most important outcomes for our fitness program is that it plants a seed for the love of movement that could last a lifetime.
After each activity, the children receive a stamp on their hand and at the end of each month a certificate showing that they completed the fitness for the month.
Each day, children from all age groups ask the big question: “Are we going to do hoop runs today”? The answer is always “Yes, Yes ,Yes – let’s get fit!