Learning outside the box
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EmailInfusing workforce development into a fitness movement experience.
As a part of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, 4-H offers learning opportunities and resources that help kids strive for a healthy life. Our pre-college event, 4-H Exploration Days, recently included a new session titled Fitness Movement. It proved to be a successful example of merging health and wellness with workforce development content.
“Fitness Movement: Lift, Lunge, Leap!” focused on the three “L’s” of motion: lift, lunge and leap — but with a twist. This session was for beginners age 12 and up, with no exercise experience required. While exploring various exercise types designed to strengthen and stretch the body, we stretched the mind as well. Participants represented a variety of communities across Michigan, so we started off with introductions and an ice breaker. The three-hour session then included:
- Definition and review of the terms lift, lunge, and leap along with the names of major muscle groups.
- Stretching exercises to warm up.
- Juggling with scarves.
- Movement activity focused on bumper car movements.
- Create your own beach ball exercise ball.
- Make your own trail mix healthy snack break.
- “Meet someone new” movement activity.
- Fitness jobs and careers guessing game.
- Personal fitness/wellness survey.
- Speed cup stacking and challenge.
- SMART goals related to health and wellness.
- Boxer movement activity.
- Cool down and reflection.
Fitness jobs and careers, along with SMART goals, were infused into the physical activity session to encourage career exploration and goal setting as a life skill. Youth learned about careers that included physical education teacher, personal trainer, sports medicine doctor, health and wellness coach, fitness instructor and more. The smile on participants’ faces (above), showed the fun while learning that we all experienced. From a post-program evaluation of participants, their comments included:
What did you learn?
- The difference between leaping and jumping.
- I learned about new jobs and how to stack cups fast.
- I learned about professions in fitness/different careers.
So what? Why was this content important?
- I know the difference now and I could help in gym.
- It gives me more options for future careers.
- I am going to do more cup stacking!
- Helps us become more fit.
Now what? How will you use what you learned?
- I will take my fitness more seriously.
- I will be walking more and staying fit.
- I am going to be a boxer.
- Now, I will accomplish a new goal.
- I will remember how to juggle, and it was fun.
Career exploration and employability skills can be infused into any topic; we just have to think outside the box! MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development helps to prepare young people for successful futures. For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or youth entrepreneurship, email us at 4-HCareerPrep@anr.msu.edu.
