5-2-1-0: Jump Rope for Heart

As part of our local school program to raise awareness of health and wellness, my daughter’s 1^st grade class participated in a special community service program to raise funds for the American Heart Association, called Jump Rope for Heart.

Now, my daughter is a jump rope fanatic! She became a fan after her class did a jump rope module in gym class this fall. She would jump rope in the morning, night, snow, cold, and we even had to clear out a place in the basement to accommodate her desire to jump in really inclement weather! So, you can imagine the excitement when she found out that they were having a Jump Rope-a-Thon at her school!
 

Jump Rope for Heart is a nationwide event that helps students learn about the benefits of regular physical activity and heart health while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke. Many people don’t realize that the roots of cardiovascular disease in adults often begin in our childhood – from age 10 and even younger. So, this event gave me the chance to talk to my kids about why it’s important to eat healthy foods & stay active.

Prior to event day, each child was given information about fundraising to take home. Each child that raised a minimum of $15 would receive their own jump rope, a bookmark, and a card showing a child that was helped by AHA donations. The school ended up raising $2,332.

The day of the event was amazing! The kids had so much fun, not only exercising but also supporting a wonderful cause. The Phys Ed teacher had 5 stations set up in the gym: Individual jump ropes, one large jump rope, small trampolines, “hoppers,” and hurdles. Each group of kids rotated around to each station & performed that activity (with a water break in the middle). It ended up being quite a workout!

Right after the event, the Phys Ed teacher sat with the class and went over each of the paper hearts that children had brought “In Memory of” or “In Support of” a relative or friend that they were jumping for. Another mom who volunteered had told me how happy she was to be a part of this event because she has many family members who have heart disease.
 

When I asked my daughter that night what her favorite part of the Jump Rope for Heart was, she told me, “I got good exercise and helped people in need. And that felt really good.” Since this is an annual event in her school she is already excited about doing it next year in 2^nd grade.

Click here to read more about the 5-2-1-0 program.

Have your kids participated in the Jump Rope for Heart event, or a similar health awareness event at school?
 

by KimG on 06/06/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: motivation, exercise, kids, mommy blog