Two Upcoming Nationwide Events Engage Students in Physical Activity

September 17, 2008 - This Fall, Take a Child Outside Week and International Walk to School Day are both excellent opportunities for schools and parents to get students outdoors and active.

Take a Child Outside Week (September 24-30), a national program aimed at getting children outdoors and into the natural world, is a response to growing concern about the so-called “nature-deficit disorder” among children and youth.  Teachers, parents, and other community members are encouraged to engage children in activities that allow them to explore the outdoors and be active in nature.  Not only will getting children outside allow them to learn about and interact with nature, but it will also help them spend less time watching television or participating in other sedentary activities.  For more information about Take a Child Outside Week, including activity ideas, click here.

International Walk to School Day (October 8) is a great opportunity to engage schools, parents, and the community in getting students to school in a way that improves their health while being kind to the environment and easing school transportation budgets.  According to the CDC, the percentage of students who live within a two mile radius of, and walk or ride a bike to school has dropped dramatically from 49% in 1969 to just 18% in 2001.  To find out more information about Walk to School Day or how your school can join the 1500 others already registered, please click here.

Source: Take a Child Outside website; International Walk to School Day website; and CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health website.