Active In-Betweens Term 3 Recap

Parent: “How important the program has been for child’s development, how they refuses to go to the shops or other programs and activities and that she is genuinely and openly excited and happy to come on program day and be in Active In-Betweens. Mum was also very grateful for the connections child had developed with the facilitators there and that this was why they would only talk to them about what happened” 

Child: “I’ve never played hockey before , I want to play so badly and now you brought here!” Boy, 10.

Active In-Betweens Term 3 focused on fundamental movement skills (FMS), these are the skills that underpin all physical activity such as jumping, kicking, throwing. Australia’s children receive a D- on their score card for these skills¹, but their early learning and guidance ensures kids have the skills necessary to join in confidently in sports and outdoor play. Matt West from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District joined the team to teach us the “how to do” for each skill and demonstrate a fun and engaging game to play with the kids to practice these skills. It was an interactive session and gave us confidence in how to teach and support these valuable skills.  

Each week we introduced a new game and corresponding FMS skill to the children alongside our nutrition and social connection focused activities.  This term saw numbers reach 1010 attendees across the 5 sites in the term, a record figure of attendance for Active In-Betweens.  

Some key highlight sessions included measuring heart and respiratory rate and how it is affected by exercise, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s day activity and outing to Flip Out.  

The terms started with support from Breathe Better Illawarra helping the children measure their heart and respiratory rate before and after exercise. This was a concrete way to show the children the benefits of moving our bodies and that an hour of huff and puff activity each day is important for good health. With the competing demands of school and screens, and obesity exceeding underweight for first time even for school age children², movement skills and time to move is more important than ever. Incorporating fun active games into all programs and allowing children freedom to play and choose sports in a noncompetitive way ensures children are increasing physical activity.  

Nagangbi ngayagang Michelle, learn how to introduce yourself here Introduce yourself — Dharawal Words,  

4^th of August is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day and we ran a scavenger hunt incorporating local and SNAICC resources, children learnt how to introduce themselves in Dharawal Language, ate native foods, played traditional Indigenous games such as Gorri and Kai and created art. It was a lovely way to celebrate culture and learn from each other with some children teaching staff and a mutual understanding of culture through connection, food and play.  

Each Term, we go on an outing and this Term Flip Out was chosen in line with the Fundamental movement skill vertical jump, a classic! Trampolining is a great activity for children to move their bodies and feel like it’s just fun! Trampolining also has the benefits of teamwork, turning taking and cooperation and an element of risk something which we advocate for and build into our program. Risky Play is incredibly beneficial for children’s overall development and we’ve recently been part of the launch of the Australian wide National Position Statement on Risky Play, read more here: Wrong way up: Why Climbing Slides Isn’t So Bad After All | Play Illawarra 

During this term, we also got the opportunity to present at the National Public Health Conference on Active In-Betweens program logic and evidence-based outcomes. Active In-Betweens has been running for over 10 years now and is evidence based with recent Australian Social Values Bank data showing that for each $1 spent $6 is return in improvements in children’s long term health.  

Read our Term Report here: Term 3 2025 Active In-Betweens Report.pdf 

Term 4 starts week 20^th of October in all locations and we’d love for new children to join at Albion Park Rail and Warilla (other locations at capacity). 

If you or someone you know would be interested please check out the website for more information and registration details HERE  

With thanks to Barnardos Community for Children Shellharbour, Dapto’s League and Australian Drug Foundation LDAT for funding these community programs.  

If you know of corporations that would like to positively impact children’s health, we’re open to collaborations and partnerships. 

Contact michelle@healthycities.org.au