Physical education (P.E.) classes at school cause fear and anxiety formany children. If your child is nervous at gym time, follow these tips fromFitness for Health, a D.C.-area fitness facility for children, to helpyour child address anxieties and learn to manage anxious situations

• Be proactive. Find out which sports and physical activities your childwill play in gym class, and practice ahead of time with your childso he won’t be as self-conscious when playing those games with peers atschool. 
• If you are unable to practice with your child, register her at achildren’s gym for fitness or sports classes. Children’s gyms can be a funtransition into P.E. class, because the child can learn that fitness can beenjoyable.
• Help your child laugh at herself. Playing with your child is a great timeto demonstrate how to make light of your personal, athletic weaknesses. 
• Encourage your child to embrace a lifelong, healthy, activelifestyle. Give him the opportunity to try different activities, fromswimming to hiking to dance to flag football. 

It’sdifficult to watch your child suffer. But, P.E. can offer a teachable moment byallowing your child to learn to overcome difficult situations with grace anddetermination. A child won’t like every sport played in gym, but maybe he willfind a new physical activity that he will love into adulthood!

Tips provided by:

Fitness for Health

11140 Rockville Pike

Rockville MD 20852

301-231-7138

Online at www.fitnessforhealth.org

On Facebook at www.facebook.com/fitnessforhealthdc

Follow the blog at blog.fitnessforhealth.org

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