Keeping kids active
When Kahlia Christison, administrator for the Dannevirke Sports Club, thought about all the children isolating in Covid-struck households, she dreamed up the concept of Active Isolation Sports Packs to give them a boost.
“The past two years have been difficult for everyone,” she says. “Between the isolations, lockdowns and Covid itself, kids are feeling it too. We wanted to remind families of the importance behind keeping active while also hopefully reducing stress by entertaining the kids a bit.
“Keeping active is important, both mentally and physically for the kids. It doesn’t mean they need to run a marathon, but instead carry out simple wee challenges to keep their bodies moving and brain active.”
When she bounced the idea off Leah Sole, of Sport Manawatu¯ , she got an instant positive response — “how soon can you get these out? We will provide some funding.”
Some students responded that they often had equipment but never any different ideas on how to make fun use of them. Local businesses came up with discounted supplies, activtiy sheets and sponsored bags. The answer to Leah’s question “How soon can you get these out” was two weeks and on Tuesday, April 5, the first of planned 180 packs were delivered. The rush is on — school holidays are soon upon us.
So about now some very happy children will be playing with a frisbee, chalk, a tennis ball and a skipping rope, but, they will be getting a few ideas for games like gutterboard.
Kahlia has a message for the children. She says: “We want you to have fun and maybe try a few new activities. Keep us updated with how you have used your resources and what activities you have done (by commenting on the Dannevirke Sports Club Facebook page) and telling us if you have created a new game that other people could try. You could even fill out a survey.”