The Vivo Instructor
Gen H Instructor Program
Vivo’s Gen H Instructor program is a training program aimed at addressing sedentary behaviour in traditional recreation programs through high-quality instructor training. The Gen H Instructor program was born when we discovered through research that children spent 60% of their time sitting, standing, or lying down in traditional recreation programming. Instructors are empowered to deliver more engaging and effective experiences for children by aligning program delivery with developmental characteristics such as physical literacy, social connection, and personal growth.
Why We Did It
Our research revealed that physical activity levels aren’t only declining in life, but also in recreational programming. Many recreation instructors are not equipped with the necessary training to meet kids where they are developmentally, or to deliver programs that get kids moving for the majority of the lesson and promote long-term engagement in physical activity. We saw an opportunity to bridge this gap and enhance the impact of recreation programs on children’s health and well-being.
What We Did
We created a consistent and comprehensive instructor training program that emphasizes child development, physical literacy, and social connection. The training equips instructors with the tools they need to design and deliver experiences that are both fun and developmentally appropriate, engaging children in physical activity for their lesson and for life. Over 150 instructors have participated in the program since its launch in August 2017.
The program also aims to create consistent quality across all departments, helping families enjoy seamless and valuable experiences in Vivo’s programs.
How We Did It
The Gen H Instructor program was co-created by Team Vivo and content experts at Mount Royal University. It was made possible through grant funding from the Government of Alberta, which supported the creation, implementation, and validation of the training model. The funding enabled us to provide ongoing mentorship, reflective practice, and integration of knowledge into action for our instructor team.
What We Learned
- Training instructors in child development and physical literacy leads to more meaningful and engaging programs.
- Instructors reported a greater understanding of developmental stages, and participants demonstrated increased connection, confidence, and activity levels.
- The program also reinforced the importance of consistent mentorship and reflective learning in supporting instructors’ growth and effectiveness.
