The joy of movement is a high priority at Valåsskolan, Valås preschool and Kyrkängens preschool in Lindome. Together they organized a movement week where children discovered new ways to move!
During the week, an association day was organized where children in grades F-3 and the oldest children from the preschool had the chance to try different sports during a morning. The children got to try boules, floorball, field hockey, orienteering, volleyball crossnet, dance and football. The children were delighted and a pupil at Valåsskolan summarizes the feeling of exercise:
It feels hard when you do it, but afterwards you are so much happier and your body feels good.
Participating in Make a Move has increased the focus of preschools and schools on movement and there are several benefits of doing joint activities with movement.
There are many positive aspects of doing this association day together with the preschool. Through the Make a Move project, there is a focus on movement from an early age so that the preschool children are used to it when they start school, as we work a lot with movement here at Valåsskolan. Being involved in days like these gives the preschoolers a fun and positive learning experience, where they get to know the environment in a positive way. I believe these activities can reduce anxiety and apprehension about starting preschool. We also reduce the gap between preschool and school when principals and educators together plan activities," says Sofi Ljungholm, deputy principal at Valåsskolan.
During the week, an obstacle course race was also organized where the children had to run in the forest and get through rock rings, balance on logs and get over various obstacles! Watch the nice movie from Pedagog Mölndal to get the feeling of the race!
Putting more focus on movement during the time at preschool and school has had several effects:
There are fewer conflicts at breaks, there are fewer reports of abuse that come in. More children are engaged in activities, there is a greater variety of activities during breaks as we have break activities as a very positive element of most breaks. The students have evaluated and think it is more fun during breaks, that there is something to do and that there are fewer occasions when you are alone, says Sofi Ljungholm, deputy principal at Valåsskolan.
I see a greater joy, but also that we can see increased self-confidence, increased self-esteem, when the children discover their own abilities and their own joy of movement. Not all movement has to be about football, floorball or that type of sport, but it can be any type of movement," says Ewa Rolander, head teacher at Valås preschool.
What tips do you have for other preschools and schools that want to increase physical activity among children:
To be aware and include it during the day, in the schedule during the weeks, that you spend time on it. It is very important to be spontaneous, but it is also important to really make sure that it comes in as a planned part, says Ewa Rolander, principal at Valås Förskola
Start with short movement breaks in lessons, you will notice a big difference. If possible, use recreational teachers who organize break activities, then the children find things they want to do. It's great fun!" says Anna Svensson, teacher at Valåsskolan.
