#HealthyKidsQuarantined: Supporting Schools and Families With Virtual Physical Activity, Physical Education, and Nutrition Education During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

When COVID-19 shuttered Michigan schools, 52 elementary and middle schools statewide were in various stages of implementation of comprehensive health programs, including the integration of physical activity, physical education, and nutrition education. To support the transition to a virtual learning environment, #HealthyKidsQuarantined was launched, providing virtual physical activity, physical education, and nutrition education curriculum and resources. Content was distributed weekly via e-mail to teachers and families alongside a daily social media campaign that disseminated resources to a national audience. Results identified significant content usage by schools (21,300 views/downloads) and engagement through social media (9,800 views/downloads). Teachers, students, and families expressed value in the health content provided, stating it was a support needed in a time of chaos. This study suggests that providing virtual health content may be a feasible way to sustain school and family investment in comprehensive youth health. Furthermore, by utilizing multiple dissemination strategies, virtual programming may be an effective mechanism to expand reach.

Model Construction of Chinese Preservice Physical Education Teachers’ Perception of Social Media: A Grounded Theory Approach

“…The geographical location of previous research is unclear. Moreover, most of the research conducted and collected data is from the United States [1,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16], followed by Australia [6,17], Spain [18][19][20], Ireland [21,22], and the United Kingdom [23][24][25][26], while only three related research included developing countries [27][28][29]. The research from eastern countries sees social media only as a data collection platform instead of in the context of teachers' professional development [27] or has used questionnaire surveys to conduct the research [28].…”

Exploring the Integration of Virtual Reality in Physical Education: A Comprehensive Review

“…This heightened engagement can improve attendance and participation rates, especially among students who may not be traditionally interested in physical activities or feel selfinsecure in physical settings. [10][11] Skill Acquisition and Performance VR/AR technologies have shown promise in enhancing skill acquisition and performance in PE. Through the use of virtual simulations, students can practice specific skills repeatedly, with the technology providing instant feedback on their performance.…”

Exploring Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity for Families of Rural Preschoolers Participating in a Motor Skill Program

“…A common approach to combating the negative outcomes associated with barriers and obesogenic behavior for children in rural environments is virtual programming [ 37 ]. Virtual programming exploded during the pandemic; however, for those in rural environments, a lack of internet access remains a health disparity [ 38 ], negating the potential support gained from virtual programming.…”