United Arts for Active and Healthy Kids Project

The Cause

Physical inactivity and obesity among children and youth are growing problems in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over the last 25 years with as many as 26% of 2- to 17-year-olds being overweight and obese. A lack of regular physical activity and excessive sedentary behavior are important determinants of obesity and related chronic disease risk. In fact, many children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development. Over the last decade progress has been made to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity, but there is still more to be done. Parents as well as health professionals play an important role in helping children, youth and families establish and maintain healthy habits, especially during the early years of life. Therefore, this 6-month “United Arts for Active and Healthy Kids Project” aims to create a place and space that brings together 50 children and youth of different backgrounds from the Thorncliffe and Greenview communities to increase physical activity and improve dietary habits and environmental awareness that promote active and healthy lives. The project will support and enrich the lives of 50 children and youth aged 7-12 by providing access to meaningful and active experiences that promote a healthy life. Also, this project will create opportunities for children and youth to engage in activities to discover things about themselves and others that will help them better deal with differences and handle conflicts peacefully. The project will ensure that 50 children from different backgrounds (ethnicities, cultures, religions etc.) in the Thorncliffe and Greenview communities in Calgary (Alberta) are entertained and engaged through onsite (indoor) playdate activities including arts. The project will offer a range of quality playdate arts and activities including crafts, painting, dance lessons, drawing, board games, drama play, and mental health resources and more. Also, the project will use story-telling sessions provided by a health professional to help the children, youth and families establish and maintain healthy habits and environmental protection skills.

Who Will it Benefit?

FIIDI will partner with the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association (Centre) to publicize/advertise the project in the Thorncliffe and Greenview communities. Already, we have had discussions (meeting) with the management of the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre where the project idea is shared and welcomed. Further collaboration will be sought with the Thorncliffe Elementary School to help identify as well as invite 50 children and youth aged 7-12 within the Thorncliffe and Greenview communities to enroll in the project activities. This is a 6-month project and activities will take place at the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre every Saturday evening for a maximum of 2 hours for 16 sessions in 4 months (month 3-6). The project will create opportunities for children and youth to engage in activities to discover things about themselves and others that will help them better deal with differences and handle conflicts peacefully. The project will ensure that 50 children from different backgrounds (ethnicities, cultures, religions etc.) in the Thorncliffe and Greenview communities in Calgary (Alberta) are entertained and engaged through onsite (indoor) playdate activities including arts. The project will offer a range of quality playdate arts and activities including crafts, painting, dance lessons, drawing, board games, drama play, and mental health resources and more. Also, the project will use story-telling sessions provided by a health professional to help the children, youth and families establish and maintain healthy habits. Our previous collaboration on similar projects of this nature with the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association (Centre) and Thorncliffe Elementary School will be helpful in identifying project participants.