There are some ground-breaking initiatives going on in classrooms across Canada. Technology is becoming more prevalent in the classroom and phys-ed and health teachers are using this platform and integrating it into their teachings. They are going above and beyond by offering solid physical education pedagogy and are teaching children and youth fundamental movement skills, fostering an inclusive environment, and nurturing the best practices for living a healthy lifestyle. And not least of which, they are imparting the joy of getting out and moving.

On November 28, 2011, PHE Canada attended a launch event in London, Ontario celebrating the Canadian release of the AstraZeneca Young Health Program (YHP). This program is a global, long-term community investment by AstraZeneca that aims to improve the health of vulnerable people around the world – now and into the future.

For the first time we face the possibility that a generation will pass away before their parents. Childhood obesity rates are climbing, and physical activity and sport participation levels are decreasing. Children today spend more time in front of a television or computer screen than kicking the soccer ball around.

Yesterday I came across an interesting article on a great initiative that an elementary school in Brantford, Ontario was spearheading. This school had swapped out the kids’ classroom chairs for exercise balls.