Before School, After School, and In-School Physical Activity Programs: Supporting the Child’s Holistic Well-Being
School is a community central to a child’s life which influences many aspects of their development. Not only is school a place where children learn core academic subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts, but it is a place where children develop social-emotional skills, the ability to work as a team, and a sense of self-confidence. These attributes are essential to a child’s cognitive and psychological development. But school is also a place that can—and should—support a child’s physical fitness, which is a vital component of a child’s general well-being. Research suggests that implementation of a quality school-based physical activity program can play a key role in supporting a child’s holistic development and growth.