Stretch & Play works with children, teenagers, and adults using stretches, storytelling, games, music, and relaxation. They operate in private nurseries, schools, and community organizations. The program is based on principles of physical activity and play from sources like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Physical activity benefits include improved health, social development, reduced stress and disease risk, and cognitive benefits. However, modern environments and behaviors limit children's physical activity through less walking, outdoor play, and increased screen time. Stretch & Play aims to address this through facilitating exercise classes incorporating elements like yoga, Pilates, and dance. The 5-week training program will cover topics like anatomy, structuring sessions, and putting theory

1. Week 1
Rationale behind the programme

2. Stretch & Play works with:
ChildrenChildren
TeenagersTeenagers
AdultsAdults
•Use stretches, storytelling, games, music and relaxation
•Ranging from private nurseries to community organisations
•Use yoga, Pilates, drama and personal development techniques
•Work in schools and community organisations
•Our facilitators teach yoga, Pilates, fitness and dance to adults
•The organisation provides facilitation and consultancy support

3. Stretch & Play works according to the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and
Article 31 which states that:
“The child has the right to rest
and to engage in leisure, play and
recreational activities and participate
in cultural and artistic activities”.

4. Why is physical activity important? (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Improved overall health
Opportunities for social interaction & improved social and
moral development
Reduced risk of developing adult diseases
A sense of wellbeing & self esteem
Reduction in anxiety and stress
Maintenance of energy balance
Improved cognitive functioning & academic achievement in
school

5. The Activity Unfriendly Environment (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Less walking to school
Less opportunity for active play (home or school)
Reduced formal activity at school
Increased attractiveness and availability of home electronic
entertainment
Too much traffic
Fearful parents and neighbours who don’t like play near their
homes
Reluctance of parents to encourage play

7. Childhood Obesity Statistics (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
Currently there are over 1 million obese children in the UK
The latest research shows that in the United States one in
three children aged between 5 and 17 are overweight or obese
Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults storing up
health problems for the future. Research has shown that 42-63%
of obese school aged children also become obese adults

8. Sedentary Behaviours (From Healthy
Schools Government Initiative)
TV viewing (average of 2.5 hours), video games playing
(average of 40 minutes and computer use (average of 30
minutes) are key sedentary behaviours among children and
young people each day, this peaks between the ages of 9
and 12.
The overall volume of media viewing is 35-40 hours per
week for 11-17 year olds.
TV watching is the most common sedentary activity for
children and young people of all ages with 28% watching 4
or more hours a day

10. Physical Activity Recommendation (From
Healthy Schools Government Initiative)
All children and young people should participate in at least
one hour of moderate Physical Activity each day
In addition;
At least twice a week, all children should take part in activities
that help to develop muscular strength, flexibility and bone health
e.g. skipping, jumping and climbing
DoH (2004). At least 5 a week. Evidence on the Impact of
Physical Activity and its Relationship to Health. A Report from the Chief
Medical Officer

11. How can this be achieved? (From
Healthy Schools Government Initiative)
Active commuting
Regular aerobic activity (using all large muscle groups)
Work towards some vigorous exercise each week
Reduce sedentary behavior
Increase opportunistic activity
At least ONE walk per day
See weekends as an opportunity to do more
Have different slots throughout the day
Do Stretch & Play!!!

12. Body fat
increases
Energy
intake
Energy
output
Body fat
decreases
Energy
output
Energy
intake

13. Calorie intake should increase by 100 calories
per year between 1 and 5 years
Preschool age children should eat between
1200 – 1600 calories per day
Calories intake should be of the correct foods
Calcium requirements increase up to the age of four

14. Children aged 6 – 8 should eat between 1600 – 2000
calories per day
Children aged 9 - 12 should eat between 1800 – 2200
calories per day
Calories intake should be of the correct foods

15. The work of Stretch & Play draws on:
Carla Hannaford’s Smart Moves
Howard Gardiner’s Multiple Intelligences
Jean Ayres’ Sensory Integration
Tina Bruce’s Learning through Play
Based on Early Years Curriculum & Every Child
Matters as well as revised NI schools curriculum for
each Key Stage and informal Youth Work curriculum

16. When creating the Stretch & Play Manual I looked at
the work of:
Jon Kabat-Zinn around Mindfulness
US company Yoga Ed. who present yoga as an ideal
discipline for mind / body fitness in schools
UK Children’s Yoga and Meditation companies Relax
Kids, Yoga Bugs and Jane Louise Kelly’s Yoga
Buddies (Northern Ireland)
The NZ Government studies on Fundamental
Movement Skills

17. Included in your training you’ll find:
Weekly training videos explaining the building blocks of a
Stretch & Play session
Weekly homework to help you consolidate your learning
A manual of 100+ pages
Templates for crèche age classes; primary school age
classes and secondary school age classes (which can also
be used in youth clubs) with room to write your own ideas
Business materials such as class registration forms, sample
emails, suggestions for props and resources

18. When you have completed your training you can
send a video of yourself in action at a Stretch & Play
session.
I will personally evaluate your performance and send
you a certificate of completion or suggest ways to
improve your performance as a Stretch & Play
Facilitator.
This certification is not compulsory and you can use
the training as soon as you receive it, without ever
applying for a certificate.

19. Week 1 – Rationale behind the programme and
introduction to the training manual
Week 2 – Basic anatomy & physiology of children and
the benefits of ‘stretching and playing’
Week 3 – Programme breakdown into different Stretch
activities
Week 4 – Programme breakdown into different Play
activities
Week 5 – Putting it all together! How to structure a
Stretch & Play session (includes ethics and child
protection issues); How to deliver a Stretch & Play
session; Discussion about “where next?”

20. Familiarise yourself with your Training Manual
Before next week I want you to work out why YOU
want to become a Stretch & Play Facilitator so ask
yourself:
What is my experience in this field?
What can I bring to the table?
What unique skills and talents have I that will fit into
the Stretch & Play model?
Check out local statistics on childhood obesity as
these will prove invaluable when promoting classes
in your area