GLOS Educatief Movement Parental Involvement

Encouraging parents to be more active with their child? How can you do that as a teacher?

Published Jul 11, 2019

Working together with parents to ensure their children get enough physical activity leads to healthier, better-performing pupils. Where previously the school and parents acted separately to encourage children to be physically active, we are increasingly moving towards advisory services 3.0. The school does not merely provide information, but genuinely works together with parents to ensure that pupils are as physically active as possible.

Encouraging parents to be more active with their child? How can you do that as a teacher?

Encouraging children to be physically active

If parents do not know how to encourage their children to be physically active, you can give them some tips as a teacher. You can also refer parents to:

www.plekcheck.nl for playgrounds in the area
www.sportatlas.nl for sports clubs in the area
The free ‘iGrow’ app, which can be used to track how a child is growing and whether the child has a healthy weight. The app also provides tips on healthy nutrition, physical activity and sleep.

Make agreements and rules about physical activity

At school, agreements are made about playtimes. You can encourage parents to do the same at home. For example, parents can agree with their children that they should play (outside) first before it is time to play a game on the computer. Children also really enjoy playing sports or games together with adults. At school, this can be done by the teacher regularly joining in during break time. Parents can do the same at home by setting aside time to go outside with their child and play an active game.

Encourage children to be physically active

If children have a positive association with physical activity
they are more likely to actually take part in it. Be enthusiastic about playing outside and trying different sports. Try to arrange trial lessons in various sports at school. Perhaps some parents are coaches at a sports club and would enjoy helping with this. You can also compile a list of sports clubs in the municipality. Children are often allowed to attend several free trial training sessions, allowing them to discover what they enjoy.

Set a good example yourself

Adults are role models for children. Therefore, show together that physical activity is fun and important. At school, you can do this by joining in with sports and games with the students. Parents can do this by taking part in sports with their children, but also by coming to school by bicycle or on foot. Encourage this through the school.

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

After every holiday, a group goes through certain phases in the process of group formation. The first weeks at the beginning of the school year are called the Golden Weeks. These weeks are particularly suitable for laying a foundation for good group formation and a pleasant atmosphere. Stichting School & Veiligheid offers ten tips.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October 2026, it is Our Food Week. A great opportunity to focus with your class at primary school on where our food comes from, how it is made and why healthy and sustainable choices are important. Food education allows pupils not only to learn, but especially to experience. That is why various organisations are joining forces to support schools with inspiring activities, teaching materials and practical tools. Examples include the Mayors’ Breakfast, a free visit to a farm, or shopping vouchers for cooking in the classroom.

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!

Would you like more water to be drunk in the new school year? Then put tap water in the spotlight with your class as a healthy and sustainable thirst quencher during National Tap Water Day on Wednesday 30 September. This way, your pupils will discover why tap water is healthy and how to turn it into a festive drink!