Childminders across Scotland are being asked to encourage their children to walk a mile a day - following a scheme started by a Scottish primary school in 2012. The Daily Mile is a free and simple initiative that involves running, jogging or walking for 15 minutes per day and in this time, most children will average a mile or more. Some may do less, but this is fine.
The aim of The Daily Mile is to support children and young people in their health and wellbeing and also supports raising attainment and closing the poverty-related attainment gap within education. It was developed to improve the physical, emotional, social and mental health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances. It is a profoundly simple but effective concept that can be implemented completely free of charge and without the need for staff training.
Its impact can be transformational – improving not only the children’s fitness, but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing.
The Scottish Government, supported by The Daily Mile Foundation, is encouraging all Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings, which includes childminders, to take part in The Daily Mile, to achieve the vision of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. It is committed to supporting every ELC provider and school in Scotland to join The Daily Mile movement. Every childminder that signs up and continues to be actively involved will receive a reward pack around Easter 2018 which will include water bottles and pedometers for every child that is taking part. Further details of how to claim your reward pack will be sent out closer to the time. The Scottish Government is also pleased to confirm that they will be working with Sir Andy Murray who will be encouraging everyone to sign up and take part and share their stories.
It has been recognised that there are challenges that ELC settings face in implementing The Daily Mile concept in age-appropriate ways. To help address these concerns you can find a question and answer factsheet at:
www.thedailymile.co.uk/faq. The Scottish Government will also publish specific guidance for ELC settings this autumn on how to incorporate The Daily Mile and other age-appropriate physical activity into everyday learning experiences.
So, are you ready to start your Daily Mile journey and join the growing number of participants in The Daily Mile community? Then please register now by using the following link:
www.thedailymile.co.uk/school-signup/.