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Physical Education for
Healthy Kids
by Beth Cline
Ask a group of children what their favorite subjects
are in school and no doubt, PE class will be at the
top of the list. The inclusion of physical education
in elementary schools has been, in recent years, the
topic of many nationwide debates. As the United
States faces a growing childhood obesity epidemic,
one thing is for certain, parents and teachers need
to find a way to work together to keep kids healthy
and active.
Quality PE in schools is one of the best ways to
help children learn the importance of an active
lifestyle. Beyond the fact that studies have shown
students with regular physical activity built into
their school day are actually better focused on
mental tasks and less likely to engage in disruptive
behavior, physical education offers children the
opportunity to learn fitness skills they can use for
a lifetime.
The most important aspect of a child’s PE class is
the quality of their experience. Children should
receive as much activity time as possible,
contributing to the recommended 60 minutes a day of
physical activity the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends. Parents can assure this in
several ways:
• Hold parent/teacher meetings regularly to discuss
what the child is learning and accomplishing in PE.
• Ask the child frequently what he or she is doing
in PE. Are they getting time to be active? Are
activities helping them learn a skill?
• Encourage the school and PE teachers to teach a
variety of skills: sports techniques and concepts,
cardiovascular exercises, muscle strengthening
sessions, motor skills and even movement patterns to
provide a well-rounded fitness experience.
• Support teacher use of programs like the
President’s Physical Fitness Challenge, which
motivates and rewards children to excel in physical
activities measuring muscular strength, agility, and
cardiovascular health such as running, push-ups and
sit-ups. Reaching a goal helps children remain
focused on the purpose of physical activity but also
have fun.
PE in schools is a great start for a child’s
physical activity but PE alone is not enough. Here
are a few teacher recommended ways to support PE
outside the classroom:
• Reinforce what is being learned in PE class. Ask
children to showcase what new skills they’ve
learned, whether its how to throw a curve ball or
how to swing a tennis racket, and practice the
skills they are still mastering.
• Work on skills as a family. If a child is trying
to improve his or her one-mile run time, go for jogs
together, if the goal is to hit a homerun, work on
batting practice at a nearby park.
• Provide an example for children to institute and
maintain healthy habits. Aim for the recommended 30
minutes a day of physical activity, plan balanced
meals to eat with children, limit your own TV and
computer time in the evenings and play outside
together.
• Be educated. The more informed parents are about
healthy eating, good exercise habits, and an overall
healthy lifestyle, the more they can find new ways
to help children value the same ideals.
A great way for parents and PE teachers to work
together is to get children involved in physical
activity outside of the school. Lynbrook Elementary
School of Springfield, VA found a great way to do
just that. Students participate each October in the
Healthy Kids Fun Run, held in conjunction with the
Marine Corps Marathon. PE teachers help motivate and
prepare children for the one-mile run with the help
of additional training and support by parents and
families.
For the last five years, Lynbrook has received the
MCM Healthy School Award for having the most
students participate in the event. Students are
rewarded for their efforts with a special assembly
and presentation, including a donation from
Washington FAMILIES magazine to be used for
continued physical education. “The MCM is proud to
work with FAMILES to honor Lynbrook Elementary for
their dedication to instilling the values of both
mental and physical fitness in their students,” said
Rick Nealis, MCM Race Director. “By supporting
health and exercise both in the classroom and in the
home, Lynbrook is creating a fitness community that
benefits students, teachers and families alike.”
By working together to ensure quality physical
education in schools, parents and teachers help
children develop both physical and mental strength
that will help them succeed in all aspects of their
life.
Articles in the Healthy Kids Series are presented by
the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run to be
held on Sunday, October 29, 2006. Visit
www.marinemarathon.com for registration
information. The one-mile run welcomes children ages
6-13. Beth Cline is the Public Relations Coordinator
for the Marine Corps Marathon. No federal or Marine
Corps endorsement implied.
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