Welcome to the March Edition of the Healthy Schools
e-Newsletter
Brought to you by Regina Area Health Promotion
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Please share with your administration, teachers, school staff, and school community council. There is something for everyone!
French resources will be highlighted by 'FR.'
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March 2020 feature topic:
Go Learn Outdoors!
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Did you know...
- 66% of Canadian children are getting less than one hour of outdoor time each day, and
- today, children have 12% less free time per week available to them compared to 20 years ago.
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Why do we care?
Outdoor learning and outdoor play can provide students of all ages with various opportunities to experience nature and engage in meaningful activities that promote growth in areas such as:
- social skills
- imagination and creativity
- engagement with learning
- concentration and problem solving skills
- language development
- coping and managing change
- behaviour and mood
- physical literacy and physical activity levels
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References:
- Outdoor Education Research Summary
- Barreiro, J. A., & Howard, R. A. (2017). Incorporating unstructured free play into organized sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 39(2), 11-19. doi:10.1519/SSC.0000000000000291
- Outdoor Classroom Day. (2018). The impact of ourdoor learning and playtime at school--and beyond. Retrieved from Outdoor Classroom Day
- The Outdoor Classroom Project. (2019). The outdoor classroom. Retrieved from Outdoor Classroom Day
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Did you know...
- Breaks in Natural spaces speeds recovery from mental fatigue.
- By creating easy access to green spaces at school, this gives students a better chance at learning - this can include green school yard or plants inside the school.
- Even access to looking out the window at a green space at breaks helps.
- Benefits are not seen, however, if children are looking at screens.
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- Organize a School Garden - To learn more click here
- Make Outdoors a Part of Everyday Learning
- Maintain or enhance recess time and outdoor time several times a day (If weather keeps you indoors, have an active backup plan - try some of these indoor activities)
- Enhance the existing outdoor space to promote outdoor education Click here.
For outdoor learning space grant opportunities click here |
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Unstructured Outdoor Play is:
The spontaneous play that comes naturally from children's curiosity, love of discovery, and enthusiasm about the world around them, with no or minimal supervision.
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Information for Parents/Guardians
Share the benefits of outdoor play and learning with parents. Use the information below in newsletters, e-blasts, Facebook Pages or Twitter Posts.
Learning, playing and spending time outdoors helps your children do well in school, feel good and be healthy. Try these tips to get your children and teens outdoors.
- Make going outside part of daily routine in all seasons
- Plan outdoor activities with friends
- Limit screen time to under 1 hour per day for children aged 0-4 years and no more than 2 hours for ages 5-17 (Reference: CSEP)
- Role Model healthy behaviours by limiting your own screen time in front of them, and going outside with them.
- Walk or Bike the places you need to go
- Let children take the lead: give them the freedom to explore and experiment on their own
- Help keep kids safe, but let them take risks
For more ideas and resources you can share with families, visit:
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References
- Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development. (2019). Outdoor play: Hard-wired for nature.
- Play and Playground Encyclopedia. (2020).
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Curriculum Connections, Resources and Activity Ideas
(grades k-12) (FR + EN)
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March's School Nutrition Information Poster - 'Non-Food Rewards' (FR + EN)
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The Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan have developed a nutrition information poster for each month of the school year. This information can be posted in the school, used in newsletters, as a part of school announcements, posted on the school website or used for Facebook or Twitter posts. Download French and English copies HERE
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Upcoming School and Community Programs, Resources and Events
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This program provides children the opportunity to connect with nature, solve clues, pass challenges and perform tasks for each session for the chance to win the race.
Image retrieved from Wascana Centre
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- Ages 9-13
- When: March 3, 17, 31, April 7, 21, May 5 and 12
- Time: 6 to 8 PM
- Cost: $65 per child for spring session
- For more information or to register, contact: Phone: 306-522-3661 or Email: sarah.romuld@gov.sk.ca
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- Provides children and youth the opportunity to explore the Habitat Conservation Area that has been set aside for wildlife. Participants can engage in different activities such as pond dipping, bird watching, weeding, planting, catching insects and solving nature’s crime.
- Where: Wascana Centre
- Cost: $2 per child
- For more information or to register, contact: Phone: 306-347-1811 or Email: sarah.romuld@gov.sk.ca
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Teachers are given the opportunity to bring their students for interpretive programming on a variety of subject areas to different provincial parks throughout the spring and summer.
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Trauma Informed Teaching: Creativity and Wellness
A Learning Session for Early Childhood Educators and Students
This workshop provides ideas, insight, and practices to guide educators, and others to help children work through trauma in a creative reparative process. Participants will learn how to work with anxiety, shame, self-regulation, anger and more using artistic techniques.
- When: Saturday March 21st 2020 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. OR 1 - 3 p.m.
- Where: University of Regina, Education Building, Room 228
- Cost: $50
- To Register: Contact mtotton@earlylearning.ca or call (306) 535-5993
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March is Nutrition Month, April is Oral Health Month
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Nutrition Month theme this year is 'More than Food' - focusing on page 2 of Canada's Food Guide Snapshot, Healthy Habits, including:
- Eat together with others
- Cook more often
- Eat Mindfully
- Enjoy your Food
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Helpful Resources for school and families:
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Some useful resources include:
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Regina Public Library Financial Literacy Workshops
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- Effective Tax Strategies (Mar 12, Apr 9);
- Resume Dos and Don'ts (Mar 18, Apr 16);
- Income tax for newcomers (mandarin) (Mar 3);
- Understanding Tax and filing your tax return (Mar 4);
- 75 Ways to save on household expenses (Mar 10);
- Free income tax clinic (Apr 4, 5, 25, 26);
- The journey out of debt (May 20)
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Connect with us
Regina Area Health Promotion is here to support your school in health areas including: nutrition, physical activity, positive mental health, body image, and dental health.
If you would like to share success stories or upcoming events related to health in our newsletter please let us know - Click on the 'envelope' symbol below.
CLICK HERE to view February's Edition on 'School Gardens '
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