The Daily Mile
The 10th-16th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week, as promoted by the Mental Health Foundation (a registered charity). Please see link below
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
As the focus is on “Nature” and we place a great importance on being outdoors, we wanted to share on our blog, the “Daily Mile” initiative, one that is very important to us at Stornoway Childcare Centre.
“The Daily Mile is a fully-inclusive, free and simple initiative which improves the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children.” – The Daily Mile Foundation (2021).
At the Centre, we have been participating in the “Daily Mile” initiative for several years now where the children go for walks within our local community and they get a Daily Mile sticker for their great efforts. We initially signed up online, through the Daily Mile Foundation (a registered charity). Please see link below
The Scottish Government promotes this initiative by encouraging schools, nurseries and families themselves to join in, in order to “help Scotland become the first Daily Mile Nation” – The Scottish Government (2017). Please see link below
Scotland: a Daily Mile Nation – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
There are a great deal of benefits for the children in our early years setting through getting out for these walks. These benefits include: developing physical strength, gross motor skills and coordination; promoting good health and wellbeing; building confidence and self-esteem; encouraging a sense of wonder in the world around them; developing knowledge of the local community; improving outcomes for all children; and encouraging the development of a sense of personal achievement.
Our Little Explorers (0-2 year olds) are beginning to experience walking outdoors (where age appropriate) with the “Daily Toddle”. Our Little Ramblers (2 year olds) and Little Adventurers (2-3 year olds) are achieving their “Daily Mile” target and sometimes surpassing it! This is a huge achievement for these young children to be proud of and hopefully it is something that will develop and grow with them, as they do.
All children and families are able to participate in this initiative and we encourage our parents to take the step and join the challenge too! We will be looking into a Home Link Activity moving forward in order to create a joint vision with children, parents and families.
