What's happening in after-school programs?

SEPTEMBER 2012 Findings from an Environmental Scan of After-school Programs in Alberta Introduction The purpose of this project was to learn about physical activity participation, physical activity opportunities, sedentary behaviour and caregiver role Research and education for the promotion of physical activity modeling in after-school programs across Alberta. [...] One promising strategy for providing children and youth with the opportunity to accumulate an additional 30 minutes (for a total of 60 minutes of physical activity per day) is to promote and support a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the after-school hours. [...] Adults may provide the space and resources, and may be involved in the play, but the child takes the lead and the adult responds to the child’s cues (Santer, Griffith, & Goodall, 2007). [...] Interest of the Children • Not all of the children want to participate in physical activity. [...] Purpose (focus) of the program According to the comments from the survey respondents, many programs successfully incorporate physical activity as a daily aspect of the after-school program curriculum.