2. Stretch & Play works with:
ChildrenChildren
TeenagersTeenagers
AdultsAdults
•Use stretches, storytelling, games, music and relaxation
•Ranging from private nurseries to community organisations
•Use yoga, Pilates, drama and personal development techniques
•Work in schools and community organisations
•Our facilitators teach yoga, Pilates, fitness and dance to adults
•The organisation provides facilitation and consultancy support
3. Stretch & Play works according to the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and
Article 31 which states that:
“The child has the right to rest
and to engage in leisure, play and
recreational activities and participate
in cultural and artistic activities”.
4. Why is physical activity important? (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Improved overall health
Opportunities for social interaction & improved social and
moral development
Reduced risk of developing adult diseases
A sense of wellbeing & self esteem
Reduction in anxiety and stress
Maintenance of energy balance
Improved cognitive functioning & academic achievement in
school
5. The Activity Unfriendly Environment (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Less walking to school
Less opportunity for active play (home or school)
Reduced formal activity at school
Increased attractiveness and availability of home electronic
entertainment
Too much traffic
Fearful parents and neighbours who don’t like play near their
homes
Reluctance of parents to encourage play
6.
7. Childhood Obesity Statistics (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Currently there are over 1 million obese children in the UK
The latest research shows that in the United States one in
three children aged between 5 and 17 are overweight or obese
Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults storing up
health problems for the future. Research has shown that 42-63%
of obese school aged children also become obese adults
8. Sedentary Behaviours (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
TV viewing (average of 2.5 hours), video games playing
(average of 40 minutes and computer use (average of 30
minutes) are key sedentary behaviours among children and
young people each day, this peaks between the ages of 9
and 12.
The overall volume of media viewing is 35-40 hours per
week for 11-17 year olds.
TV watching is the most common sedentary activity for
children and young people of all ages with 28% watching 4
or more hours a day
9.
10. Physical Activity Recommendation (From
Healthy Schools Government Initiative)
All children and young people should participate in at least
one hour of moderate Physical Activity each day
In addition;
At least twice a week, all children should take part in activities
that help to develop muscular strength, flexibility and bone health
e.g. skipping, jumping and climbing
DoH (2004). At least 5 a week. Evidence on the Impact of
Physical Activity and its Relationship to Health. A Report from the Chief
Medical Officer
11. How can this be achieved? (From
Healthy Schools Government Initiative)
Active commuting
Regular aerobic activity (using all large muscle groups)
Work towards some vigorous exercise each week
Reduce sedentary behavior
Increase opportunistic activity
At least ONE walk per day
See weekends as an opportunity to do more
Have different slots throughout the day
Do Stretch & Play!!!
13. Calorie intake should increase by 100 calories
per year between 1 and 5 years
Preschool age children should eat between
1200 – 1600 calories per day
Calories intake should be of the correct foods
Calcium requirements increase up to the age of four
14. Children aged 6 – 8 should eat between 1600 – 2000
calories per day
Children aged 9 - 12 should eat between 1800 – 2200
calories per day
Calories intake should be of the correct foods
15. The work of Stretch & Play draws on:
Carla Hannaford’s Smart Moves
Howard Gardiner’s Multiple Intelligences
Jean Ayres’ Sensory Integration
Tina Bruce’s Learning through Play
Based on Early Years Curriculum & Every Child
Matters as well as revised NI schools curriculum for
each Key Stage and informal Youth Work curriculum
16. When creating the Stretch & Play Manual I looked at
the work of:
Jon Kabat-Zinn around Mindfulness
US company Yoga Ed. who present yoga as an ideal
discipline for mind / body fitness in schools
UK Children’s Yoga and Meditation companies Relax
Kids, Yoga Bugs and Jane Louise Kelly’s Yoga
Buddies (Northern Ireland)
The NZ Government studies on Fundamental
Movement Skills
17. Included in your training you’ll find:
Weekly training videos explaining the building blocks of a
Stretch & Play session
Weekly homework to help you consolidate your learning
A manual of 100+ pages
Templates for crèche age classes; primary school age
classes and secondary school age classes (which can also
be used in youth clubs) with room to write your own ideas
Business materials such as class registration forms, sample
emails, suggestions for props and resources
18. When you have completed your training you can
send a video of yourself in action at a Stretch & Play
session.
I will personally evaluate your performance and send
you a certificate of completion or suggest ways to
improve your performance as a Stretch & Play
Facilitator.
This certification is not compulsory and you can use
the training as soon as you receive it, without ever
applying for a certificate.
19. Week 1 – Rationale behind the programme and
introduction to the training manual
Week 2 – Basic anatomy & physiology of children and
the benefits of ‘stretching and playing’
Week 3 – Programme breakdown into different Stretch
activities
Week 4 – Programme breakdown into different Play
activities
Week 5 – Putting it all together! How to structure a
Stretch & Play session (includes ethics and child
protection issues); How to deliver a Stretch & Play
session; Discussion about “where next?”
20. Familiarise yourself with your Training Manual
Before next week I want you to work out why YOU
want to become a Stretch & Play Facilitator so ask
yourself:
What is my experience in this field?
What can I bring to the table?
What unique skills and talents have I that will fit into
the Stretch & Play model?
Check out local statistics on childhood obesity as
these will prove invaluable when promoting classes
in your area