Step by Step: Woodlands Launches Little Feet Challenge with Elmer!
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We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Little Feet challenge at Woodlands!
On Monday, 19th January, our Nursery and Reception classes took their first steps toward a healthier, greener commute. Supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, this exciting initiative aims to make walking and wheeling the natural choice for our youngest learners and their families.
A special visit from Living Streets
To kick things off, we welcomed Courtney from the national charity Living Streets to Woodlands. The morning began with an informative session for parents and carers, discussing the benefits of active travel and how the challenge works.
Following the parent meeting, Courtney joined our Nursery and Reception children for an interactive session introducing the Little Feet: Elmer challenge. Using the beloved character Elmer the Elephant, the project encourages children to track their active journeys to school, earning rewards along the way.
Why active travel matters
Daily exercise is vital for early development. Choosing to walk, scoot, or cycle, even just for the last part of the journey, increases physical fitness, improves mental well-being, and ensures children arrive at school energised and ready to learn.
At Woodlands, we are committed to nurturing the whole child, and that starts with healthy habits. The Little Feet challenge is a fantastic way to engage our youngest pupils in physical activity while teaching them about the environment. It was wonderful to see the children's faces light up when they met Elmer and began thinking about their journeys to school.
It has been a joy to work with the staff and families at Woodlands. The energy from the children was infectious! By making walking and wheeling a fun, daily habit through the Elmer challenge, we are setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy choices.
Looking ahead
This launch is just the beginning. Our partnership with Living Streets and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is a long-term commitment to changing how we travel to Woodlands.
Over the coming months, we will be working together on:
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Route audits: Identifying the safest and most enjoyable paths to school.
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Pupil Parliament: Our Pupil Parliament representatives will play a key role in advocating for active travel and voicing their ideas on how to improve our local streets.
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Habit building: Ensuring that walking and wheeling becomes the number one option for our entire school community.
We want to say a huge thank you to all the parents and carers who attended the launch. Let’s get moving, Woodlands!
