SPARK! (Sport, Play and Active Recreation for Kids!)
SPARK (Sport, Play and Active Recreation for Kids!) is a nationally recognized curriculum that provides teachers and daycare staff with the skills necessary to incorporate physical activity into their daily classroom schedule. SPARK was cited in the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health as a "school-based solution" to help prevent childhood obesity.
In an effort to reduce childhood obesity and encourage more physical activity among New York City children, City Council funded the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to train every daycare and universal pre-kindergarten in the SPARK Early Childhood Curriculum free of charge.
The PAN Program, in collaboration with SPARK, has designed a 6-hour, one-day training tailored to New York City daycares and pre-Ks for all staff working with children 3-5 years old. In addition to the free training, participants receive free equipment and the SPARK EC manual at no charge. To date, the PAN program has trained over 8,000 daycare staff in 1,200 daycares across the five boroughs.
Here's what participants have said about the SPARK training and curriculum:
"SPARK is fun and easily incorporated into the daily schedule."
Participant from YMCA Polly Dodge ELC
"All the teachers should have the knowledge of this program to make learning more fun."
Participant from Richmond E.L.C. S.I.N.Y
"I enjoyed the activities, they were fun and the kids will love it"
Participant from Highway Christian Academy
Am I eligible to attend a SPARK training?
If you work in a New York City daycare or pre-K facility and instruct children ages 3-5 years old, then you are eligible to participate in the training free of charge.
I am eligible. How do I attend a workshop?
You can register in two ways:
-
Complete the registration
form and fax it to the SPARK office.
Click
here
to get the registration form.
-
Contact the PAN program by email at spark@health.nyc.gov or by phone at 212-676-2552 to register for the next available session in your area.
Where are workshops held?
Workshops are held in all five boroughs all over New
York City. Click
here to see the list of upcoming workshops, or contact the PAN program
directly by email at spark@health.nyc.gov or by phone at 212-676-2552 to find an upcoming workshop in your area.
What do I get for participating in the workshop?
In addition to the free one-day training, you will receive a SPARK manual, full of creative and effective ways to get your kids moving. Plus each classroom that participates in SPARK training receives a free equipment kit that will provide you with the tools you need to implement SPARK in your classroom.
Why should I participate?
In March 2007, the Health Code was revised so that children ages three and older attending day care for a full-day would be required to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity a day, of which at least 30 minutes would be structured and guided activity. SPARK provides daycare workers with the skills to comply with these regulations.
In addition, SPARK training encourages all students in your classroom to participate in physical activity during the day. The habit of daily movement is critical to the health of our children.
