History of the project
Goal
The goal of the Vahetund.ee project is to support the mental and physical health of young people through mobile activity, thereby activating mutual communication and thereby reducing the use of smart devices.
Problem
Children don’t have the opportunity to be active during recess. Schools don’t allow running during recess, and many schools don’t even allow going outside. Fortunately, sitting in a smartphone is already prohibited in many schools, and zones without smart devices have been created.
Between stressful school hours, it is important for the child’s brain to rest in order to get the most out of it in the next lesson. It is very important for brain activity that children move and play during the break – this way the blood starts to circulate better and carries more oxygen to the brain. This improves the child’s ability to concentrate and be more productive, and develops creative thinking. In addition, exercise increases the release of endorphins in the body, which in turn creates a feeling of happiness and security.
After the 45-minute lesson, exercise is necessary, but many schools lack the opportunities and / or skills to offer active part-time activities.
Solution
We are bringing back to schools the good old games – Chinese gartner and footbag, which do not include running, but include movement and require mutual communication. Boxes of elastic bands and foootbags are placed on windowsills in the school’s corridors to fill up free time of the school children.
As part of the project, special boxes with a bright design contain not only elastic bands and soccer tags, but also instructions and manuals for both games.
The games have different levels that require practice and concentration, and create a competitive moment. Jumping inside an elasticr band or hitting a footbag requires cooperation and mutual understanding, which makes children communicate more actively with each other.
We give activity leaders tips and instructions on how to organize competitions for these games, if possible, which motivates and makes children train, that is, move more.
Thank you to those who supported us!
