About the Program:

The JAM School Program brings health education and daily activity into the classroom. JAM is designed to teach kids (and adults) healthier lifestyle habits. JAM delivers a weekly one-minute exercise routine called the JAMmin’ Minute and a monthly health newsletter called Health-E-tips.  JAM is a NO-COST program.

JAM starts by getting kids moving throughout the day. Each week of the school year, Health-E-tips delivers a fresh JAMmin’ Minute routine. The JAMmin’ Minute is a one-minute fitness burst that includes 5 very simple exercises that kids can do while either standing or sitting in a chair. Included in this communication is a weekly health tip that helps kids learn a healthier habit.

How the JAMmin’ Minutes are being used:

• Teachers can make these JAMmin’ Minutes a part of the classroom curriculum and use them multiple times throughout the school day.
• PE teachers can use the JAMmin' Minutes as a supplement, or as a warm up to their regular programs. Combining several weeks can create a whole new fitness routine.
• Principals can use these fitness minutes in their morning announcement and as a kick-off to a school assembly.
• The class president can use this for a mini-fitness break or re-energizer during a school assembly.
• Nurses can use this to provide health education to their schools.  
• Schools can use this for staff wellness.
• An appointed child can lead their classmates as “drill sergeant” of the week.  

JAM continues with health education. Every month Health-E-tips provides a newsletter designed for school-age kids and their parents that is packed full of nutrition, fitness and health tips. This publication is available as a handout for the kids,  placement in the school newspaper, and posting around the schools and on the internet.

The Reality:

Research indicates that helping children make healthful eating and lifestyle choices requires coordinated efforts of our families, communities and schools. As such, there is an important role of classroom education to help change poor eating and exercising habits in children. Research also shows that kids who do get exposed to nutrition, exercise and health messages are much more likely to change behaviors.

• Childhood Overweight and Obesity rates are on the rise in the United States
  • Approximately 30.3 % of children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight and 15.3 % are obese.
  • For adolescents (ages 12 to 19), 30.4 % are overweight and 15.5 percent are obese.
  • Over 9 Million children over age 6 are considered obese in the United States.
• Traditional PE programs are being eliminated due to budget cuts and curriculum constraints.
  

Why it Works:

Kids and adults want exercise to be fun, quick and effective.

Everyone is able to participate.

The JAMmin' Minute breaks help improve strength and conditioning, provide more energy and improve self-esteem.

The JAMmin' Minute breaks help improve learning by helping kids refocus their attention on their school work.

Implementing the JAMmin’ Minute 2 to 4 times per day adds 10-20 minutes a week of physical activity.