How To Go The Extra Mile To Encourage Childhood Exercise Posted on 26 April 2021 by Amber Gravenell Kent-Teach in Schools Exercise has multiple benefits for childhood development both physically and mentally. Regular exercise improves balance, coordination, agility and overall physical fitness. In addition, physical activity is proven to have a positive effect on mental health. Regular exercise can help to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, boosts low mood and helps to boost confidence and self-esteem. The NHS advise that children aged 5-18 should be partaking in an average of 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per day. They also advise children should be trying a range of activities to help ‘develop movement skills, muscles and bones’. Examples of moderate intensity activities for children include walking the dog, walking to school and riding a scooter. You can find out more about exercises for children on the NHS website. With the rest of the National Curriculum to cover, it can be difficult to ensure children are partaking in exercise throughout the school day. Many schools have managed to solve this issue by the introduction of The Daily Mile. The Daily Mile is a completely free scheme which helps to improve the physical and mental health of school-age pupils. It is a simple scheme which does not add any extra to teachers’ workloads. All it involves is 15 minutes of jogging or running each day. Students run at their own pace during a designated 15 minute slot during the school day. Although, the Daily Mile recommend it should not take place during break times. The Daily Mile is simply a fantastic way to embed health and fitness within each school day and is an initiative with student health and wellbeing at the very core. This year on Friday 30th April, The Daily Mile are hosting their first ever national event! The event will take place in schools and across social media coinciding with Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. Schools are actively encouraged to join and complete the Daily Mile between 9am and 3pm on the 30th. Did you know that over 3 million children complete the Daily Mile? This is across 12,000 schools in 80 countries. This is the first national event the Daily Mile have held so it is a significant moment for the scheme. Every school in England is invited to get involved. The last 12 months+ have been challenging for people around the world. The pandemic has impacted all of us on some level. But, for children, the pandemic caused disruption to their education and presented massive upheaval with changes to routine and life as we all knew it. Whilst schools were able to adapt to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns with the use of technology and remote learning, children were unable to see their classmates and teachers in person as well as being subject to new and strange restrictions. Elaine Wyllie, Founder of the Daily Mile, says "The past year has been incredibly tough on everyone, but children in particular have had to deal with a huge amount of change to their daily lives and routines. Getting outside and getting active is something that is hugely important for physical health and mental wellbeing. We are really excited to get one million children together in England Does The Daily Mile." This Daily Mile event and the link to Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week highlights the positive impact that exercise can have on mental health. With the aforementioned struggles of the past year, it has never been more important to prioritise children’s mental health. Katie Sawyer of Kent Sport said, ‘It is great to see so many Kent and Medway schools signing up to the England Does The Daily Mile event! Research is clear that being outside and active has great mental and physical health benefits for children! It is lovely to see primary schools across the country come together to raise awareness for children's mental wellbeing. Schools registered for the event will get exclusive access to the Big England Adventure Map as part of a 4-week challenge where classes can travel around England, at their own pace.’ If your school is not already signed up to this fantastic event, why not get involved today? You can sign up for the event online: https://englanddoesthedailymile.eventbrite.co.uk If you’re looking tips for leading a healthier lifestyle then our blogs 3 Tips to Start Making Healthy Eating Choices and 10 Sports to Try This Summer are perfect for you.