Walking is the easiest form of physical activity. This presentation guides teachers, principals and administrators on starting a walking program for elementary school students.

1. Starting a School Walking Program

2. Why should schools start a walking program? For the first time in more than 100 years, our children’s life expectancy is declining due to the increase in weight Children in North Carolina are 4 times more likely to be overweight than youth nationally Young people exhibit risk factors for heart disease as early as third grade Nine million American children ages 6-19 are overweight A 5% increase in physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption can produce a cost saving benefit of $1.54 billion per year

4. Indoor lessons on measuring items

5. Create writing lessons using walking areas

7. Introduce Pedometers in the Classroom An electronic instrument that measures the up & down motion of the hip in a vertical plane Can not measure intensity or frequency Use in the classroom to monitor physical activity and motivate at-risk youth to increase physical activity Integrate pedometers into your standard course of study Pedometers are useful for teaching students, improving your teaching & walking program

9. Move in slow and controlled motions

10. Stretch to the point of tension, not pain

12. Incentives Toe Tokens Kids love to collect them and wear them on shoelaces, bracelets, necklaces, and backpacks Mile Markers Use these markers to reward students when they have reached 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles of walking

13. Be Active North Carolina Website: http://www.beactivenc.org Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BeActiveNC Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeActiveNorthCarolina YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BeActiveNCorg Blog: http://www.parentingforhealth.org/blog