- Definition
A cool-down is when your child does some gentle movements or stretches after exercising to help their body slowly return to normal.
After running around outside, walking slowly for the last minute is a cool-down for your body.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A cool-down is like a bedtime story for your body, helping it get calm and ready for rest after a busy day of play.
Ask your child: How does your body feel when you pretend to be a floppy noodle?
Common mix-up: Kids may think you can just stop moving all at once. A cool-down is an important final step that helps your heart and muscles relax slowly and safely.
Examples
- Gently stretching your arms and legs after playing tag.
- Pretending to be a melting snowman after a game of freeze dance.
cool-down is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 2 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 3 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 4 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 5 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 6 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 7 Health and Physical Education
+1 more mention across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
