COVID-19 has had an impact on all of us. One way to combat the mental and physical impacts of the public health and societal restrictions put in place during this time is through physical activity. We developed these videos to show how we have adapted and modified games and activities during our summer camp programs to limit touch points, reduce equipment and maintain distance.
In order to make these modifications and review the resources and games information that we currently have, we initiated a 4 stage approach to analyse all activities. This is detailed in episode 1, and you can download an information sheet on the approach here.
Please note, these videos were filmed in Victoria, BC, where public health orders and restrictions on gatherings may be different to your local guidelines.
Episode 1
This episode of our COVID series showcases the 4 stage approach to games and activities we have adopted to see how those activities fall on a spectrum of being safe to play or not.
Episode 2
The remaining episodes detail specific games and activities that can be played consecutively while adhering to guidelines related to COVID-19.
In this episode, games that develop locomotor movement skills, such as running and jumping, for children in Grades K-2 are shown.
To finish, a relaxation and mindfulness activity is used to calm the learners down by reducing their heart rate and concentrating on breathing.
Episode 3
Throwing and catching for children in grades 2-4 are the features of the activities in this episode.
A reminder that both the equipment and the children’s hands have been sanitised before these games took place.
These activities foster autonomy and decision making, as well as developing the key transferable skills of throwing and catching.
Episode 4
In our final episode, balancing activities for grades 3-5 are showcased.
These activities show how diverse balancing can be, with learners balancing objects as well as their own bodies.
All the games can be modified and adapted to increase the challenge for learners who are accomplishing the task, or easier to allow learners who are finding it difficult to have success.
