Toddlers step up to daily walking challenge

Twins Poppy-Anne and George Dale taking Grandma, Grandad and Rochelle the Healthy Hero for a toddle at the Heywood launch

Children’s centres across the borough of Rochdale are taking steps to improve children’s health with the start of a new toddling activity.

A new activity scheme, ‘The Daily Toddle’, which encourages children to do 10-15 minutes of toddling outside in the fresh air every day, launched this week with four family fun days at children’s centres in each of the townships.

More than 150 children attended the events to take part in the first toddles as well as other fun physical activities like Balanceability, Yogini’s and soft play provided by Link4Life.

They also tried out some healthy snacks and met special guest Rochelle the Healthy Hero.
Centres have signed up to the new scheme to help children under five meet the 180 minutes of physical activity they need to do every day to stay healthy, by fitting a quick toddle into their day, alongside other active play.

The new scheme will see children receiving their very own ‘Daily Toddle Passport’ which will track how well they are doing at being active.

Every time a child takes part in a toddle or walks to and from the centre their passport will be stamped, with five stamps earning the child a Healthy Heroes sticker. The aim is to complete the passport by collecting all six Healthy Hero stickers; Milly the Dog, Woody, Tom, Penny, Rochelle and Dale. On completing the passport the child will receive a ‘You’re a Healthy Hero’ certificate to say well done.

The passport also includes lots of helpful hints about nutrition, fun physical activities and healthy rewards for families along the way.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, council cabinet member for health and well-being, said: “The Daily Toddle is a free and fun activity that every child, regardless of ability or personal circumstance, can get involved in.

"A toddle every day can not only improve a child’s physical health by helping them to improve balance, strengthen bones and maintain a healthy weight but it can also have a great impact on their social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

"I urge all families to take a step towards a healthier future and get involved in a daily toddle at your local children’s centre.”

The Daily Toddle scheme is part of the council’s wider Healthy Heroes childhood obesity campaign, which aims to reduce obesity rates in the borough by encouraging healthy eating and physical activity within families. The scheme has already seen primary schools across the borough taking up the Daily Mile activity and GULP sugar reduction challenge.

It is hoped that the Daily Toddle scheme will also be rolled out to other early years settings and nurseries.

Families wanting to get involved in the Daily Toddle should contact their local children’s centre for more information.