Keep it active after school

The after-school hours have incredible potential when it comes to physical activity. But when school's out, some kids and teens need a little nudge to keep their bodies moving. 

This strategy is about opening up opportunities for physical activity after school hours. It taps into ways that educators can influence and support active living in childcare and community settings, and at home.  

Set clear expectations for out-of-school care programs

Make sure that after-school childcare programs operating on school property meet or exceed Provincial activity guidelines for after-school programs in Alberta. These programs should:

• Offer students the chance to get at least 30 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, appropriate for their age and developmental ability.

• Serve all children and teens, including those at risk of being inactive (like girls, older teens, students with a disability, or those with greater financial need).

• Consider limits on the use of digital devices (like cell phones, tablets, and computers) during program hours.
• Aim for quality programming—led by skilled and trained staff, offered in partnership with families and communities, and reviewed for satisfaction and improvement.

Make the most of community resources

Engage with students to understand the factors that prevent them from being physically active after school and on the weekends, and work together to eliminate them. Here are some great community-based solutions:

• Partner with local sport and recreation organizations to give students access to nearby facilities and programs, at little or no cost. Consider both indoor and outdoor locations like nearby gyms, dance studios, rinks, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts.
• Find out if your school authority or school has a formal community use agreement to facilitate public use of school spaces (like gyms and multi-purpose rooms) in non-school hours. Make sure that community groups understand how they can take part.
• Learn more about the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program. Now in 35 Alberta schools, it's an after-school program delivered by Indigenous high school mentors for younger students. The program involves healthy eating and vigorous-intensity physical activity, with emphasis on Mino-Bimaadiziwin/miyo-pimâtisiwin (“living in a good way”).
• As a school community, support local revitalization projects for outdoor green spaces like playgrounds, parks, and nature trails. Green spaces are shown to get people moving more, sitting less, and playing longer. If you can, visit these spaces during instructional time so that students have a chance to explore.

Help families get active

Families are a child’s first teacher. Help parents and other caregivers to support physical activity at home—sometimes all they need is an idea or an invitation. Here are some tips for your school e-newsletter, video, or blog:

• Share tips from Disconnect Challenge Alberta to limit sedentary screen time at home (like device-free meals, unplugging at certain days or times, or family media agreements).
• Use materials from the Unstructured play toolkit to encourage a healthy balance between structured after-school activities and free time.
• Encourage families to let their kids and teens choose physical activities that suit their interests, and that they enjoy.
• Share tips on how to dress for the weather and challenge norms around outdoor physical activity—it can happen in all seasons!

What happens outside of school is just as important as what happens at school! When students are active after school hours, they're better positioned to meet the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth.

This strategy is part of a whole school approach to physical activity, beyond the school day itself. It involves all four components of the comprehensive school health framework.

You might also like these related topics:

• Encourage safe active travel
• Engage families
• Move more, sit less

After school safety check
PHE Canada

Alberta active after school
Ever Active Schools and partners

Thrive outside: Resources for educators
Child & Nature Alliance of Canada