Q: What is fit?
A: fit is a system of accessible resources and programs for children, families, and educators to instill sustainable healthy habits. fit is comprised of two foundational parts:

  1. Programs and activities to empower children and their families to make healthy lifestyle choices.
  2. A unique content model highlighting four key factors of whole-child wellness: recharge (sleep and relaxation), mood (motivation), food (nutrition), and move (physical activity). 

Q: Is it really free?
A: Yes! fit is a health initiative supported through the philanthropy of the Sanford Health Foundation. 

Q: Who creates your content and programs?
A: We have an amazing team of experts in education, public health, childhood development, exercise science, and design that work together with our health care team at Sanford Health to create engaging, educational resources for your family. Educators and health experts review all content before it is published on fit.sanfordhealth.org. Content is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to keep the information relevant and accurate.

Q: Are fit units and games aligned to standards?
A: fit programs align with the National Health Education Standards (NHES) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Competencies. Health behavior outcomes align with the Centers for Disease Control Health Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). Additionally, fit exemplifies the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework. 

Q: How do I use fit?
A: All fit programs and resources can function as health promotion activities, morning meeting topics, curriculum supplements, or a school-wide program. More information and a scope and sequence of activities can be found in teacher and leader’s guides:

        fitClub Leaders Guide 
fitGames Teacher’s Guide 
Units and Lessons Teacher’s Guide

 

Q: How do I get started?
A: Start with a quick activity or present an interactive lesson.

  • Dip into the Discover page to select an activity or watch a video. You can easily sort by key area (recharge, mood, food, or move), content type, and setting. 
  • Dive in! Scroll to the bottom of any page and select Units, fitGames, or fitClub from the page footer.

Q: Do I have to teach a program in a particular order?
A: You can use the Units or fitGames in chronological order or mix and match to meet your needs. We suggest using fitClub in chronological order because while key concepts are repeated throughout the program, each session goes into more depth.

Q: What other resources are available?
A: Whether you are looking for tips to help your students cope with changing emotions, mindful activities, or educational videos, the fit website has hundreds of articles, downloadable activities, videos, music, and more! If you’re looking for easy, on-the-go content, follow us on social media @sanfordfitkids or sign up for our weekly emails

Q: What is the duplication policy?
A: All the fit materials are available in a digital format on the website. Prefer a printed copy? Go ahead and print from your computer, tablet, or phone! All materials may be reproduced for educational purposes.

Q: Is your program evidence-based?
A: fit is an application of evidence-based theories and models. Throughout the development and design process, several formative and pilot studies have informed the fit programs and resources. Currently, we are partnered with researchers at Michigan State University to conduct a feasibility study. We're always looking for new opportunities to conduct research and evaluate the impact of our programs and resources.

The following publications provide information about the evidence and theoretical models supporting fit:        

 

Suzanne E. Williams & Donna Hardie (2019) Introduction to Sanford Health Children’s Health & Fitness (fit) Initiative: A Physical and Emotional Health Promotional Intervention, American Journal of Health Education, 50:3, 159-166, DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2019.1590257

Williams SE, Nachtigall N, Hardie D (2018) Children's Physical and Emotional Health Promotional Intervention: Sanford Health Fitness (Fit) Initiative. J Child Obes S1-003.

 

We hope you find the resources you need on our website to support the development of healthy habits for your students. Follow us @sanfordfitkids on social and share our programs with your colleagues and families.

Thanks for checking us out!