Active commuting, such as walking or cycling to school, is a practical and effective strategy to promote physical activity among children. It integrates movement into daily routines, ensuring regular exercise without requiring additional time or structured activities. Active travel improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and supports overall well-being while fostering independence and confidence. Additionally, it encourages social interaction, reduces traffic congestion, and contributes to a more sustainable environment. By making active commuting a norm, schools, and communities can support healthier lifestyles and long-term positive habits for children.
If you want to know more:
SICTA – using weekly assignments for students to encourage active commuting to school. https://sern.sharepoint.com/:f:/r/sites/BRIDGEforTeachers/Documenti%20condivisi/General/Physical%20well-being/SICTA?csf=1&web=1&e=Cw8QlR
PACO – Questionnaires to measure mode of commuting to school and related variables-
Proyecto PACO
Integrating mind and body practices like yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness in schools is an effective strategy to promote children’s physical well-being. These practices improve flexibility, strength, and coordination while also reducing stress and enhancing focus. They create a positive connection between movement and mental health, helping children develop body awareness and self-regulation skills. By incorporating such activities into the school day, educators can support holistic well-being, encourage lifelong healthy habits, and create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
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There are many ways to promote positive interaction and collaboration between students. Several of these were bought up by teachers and students in the questionnaires. It is, for instance important to involve students in creating rules of conduct for the school, and conversations about the meaning of these rules. In several respects it has been shown important to implement core elements of dialogic education as a part of the learning process and to use teaching exercises in which each student is provided opportunity to make a unique contribution to the whole. Another aspect is to promote positive social peer role models. Safe environments for interaction with peers is important and related to this is also the wish from students and teachers to create opportunities, during schoolwork and breaks, to interact with students from other classes. Overall, it is found important to create routines for practicing pro-social skills and abilities – such as listening skills, empathy, understanding, social adaption, and how to initiate play or conversation with others.
If you want to know more:
Ruiz-Hermosa, Abel; Sánchez-Oliva, David; Grao-Cruces, Alberto; Medrano, María; González-Pérez, María; Martín-Acosta, Fátima; Camiletti-Moirón, Daniel. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of Physically Active Lessons in Secondary Education: ACTIVE CLASS Pilot Study. Translational Journal of the ACSM 10(2):e000290, Spring 2025. | DOI: 10.1249/TJX.0000000000000290
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-tj/fulltext/2025/04180/feasibility,_acceptability,_and_effectiveness_of.5.aspx
Eumove project-
https://eumoveproject.eu/recursos-educativos/?lang=es&
Dame10- examples of active breaks in Spanish-
Gamification is an effective strategy to promote physical activity in schools by making movement fun, engaging, and motivating for children. Using game elements like challenges, rewards, and teamwork in physical activities encourages participation and reduces reluctance to exercise. Activities such as quest games, and point-based competitions create a sense of achievement and social connection. By integrating gamification into physical education and active breaks, schools can enhance motivation, foster a positive attitude toward movement, and support children’s overall physical well-being.
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