Kindergarten parkrun

As a kindergarten teacher, one aspect of my job is to ensure the young children in my care get some form of physical activity every day.

As a parkrunner of more than 100 parkruns, I have always enjoyed running and over the years of teaching have tried to pass on this love.

Earlier this year, I attended North Lakes parkrun with two of my kindergarten children and they both loved it. Soon after this, the idea of ‘Kindergarten parkrun’ was formed and we implemented this one afternoon with the children in my kindergarten room.

A course was set and agreed on in the back yard, and before each ‘Kindergarten parkrun’ the course is cleared of obstacles, a timekeeper is chosen and the start line is organised. Then the number of laps is agreed upon, and the time keeper starts off the runners.

Some of our keen runners will run up to 10 laps at a time, before we all rehydrate, have a little break and then set off again. The smiles and looks of joy on the children’s faces shows just how much they enjoy this experience. In fact, it has quickly become their most requested activity.

When I ran my marathon on the Gold Coast in July, all my kindergarten children helped me train by getting me to run around our Kindergarten parkrun course. They were all so excited to see the medal when I returned back to work. Some of the children wanted to know if I had won, as I got a medal.

I told the children that I got a medal because I tried my hardest and was able to finish the run. This idea of still achieving your best even if you don’t come first, I believe is a core philosophy of parkrun’s and one that I try to instil in every child I teach.

Thank you to parkrun for helping me to teach young children that trying your best and being physically active means they win every time.

Karena Stanton

Goodstart Early Learning Redcliffe – Ashmole Road