Help Save Physical Education! By Susan Neumann

Physical Activity vs. Physical Education

Movement of the body that produces energy Used to help physical education programs to provide fun opportunities in which to learn and acquire skills Examples: sports, dance, exercise Fishburne, Graham & Hickson, Clive. (2005) CAHPERD. What is the Relationship Between Physical Education and Physical Activity?

Helps children develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for participating in active, healthy living Focuses on developmentally appropriate curricular goals and learning outcomes Purpose is to build a foundation of movement experiences Goal is to lead children to life-long active and health living Fishburne, Graham & Hickson, Clive. (2005) CAHPERD. What is the Relationship Between Physical Education and Physical Activity?

Skill Theme Approach –Teaches basic movements and skills –Once attained, build upon these skills with more complex movements and activities –Helps achieve goal: “guide youngsters in the process of becoming physically active for a lifetime” –Examples: Throwing, catching, chasing, fleeing, dodging, balancing, traveling –Kids need successful practice in these skills in order to become confident in participating in activities/sports Graham, George, Holt/Hale, Shirley Ann & Parker, Melissa. (2004) Children Moving. 6 th edition. McGraw-Hill.

Every kid develops at his/her own pace –Find out the needs of each student and allow our P.E. lessons to adapt to their learning High success rates at the beginner levels/1 cue Progressively add more difficulties to the same task Add challenges to those who are proficient Example: Balancing Lesson –Beginners: explore body for support: tight muscles –Comfortable: support weight on various body parts: stillness –More advanced: balance on a bench: align base of support –Expert: partner balance: extensions Graham, George, Holt/Hale, Shirley Ann & Parker, Melissa. (2004) Children Moving. 6 th edition. McGraw-Hill.

In 2003, 38 % of students in grades 9 to 12 viewed television 3 or more hours per day 14 million children (24% of kids ages 2-17) are obese Of these children, about 70% remain obese into adulthood A risk factor for 4 out of 10 leading causes of death in U.S. –Coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, cancer Accounts for more than 300,000 premature deaths each year Georgetown University. (2005). Center on an Aging Society. Childhood Obesity: A Lifelong Threat to Health.

Center for Disease Control’s national recommendations –Kids should exercise for at least 30 minutes per day –Yet less than 25% of the nation’s school children are active for even 20 minutes daily Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). Overweight and Obesity: A Vision for the Future. obesity/recommendations.htm Could save you money $$ –Study conducted by the International Council on Sport Science and Physical Education found that “every dollar invested in physical education saves $3.20 in medical costs” –The cost of overweight and obese citizens to the US economy is nearly $120 billion and growing American Heart Association. (2005) Frequently Asked Questions.

DOES Provides children with time, practice and opportunities to engage in physical activity to develop movement Allows to practice life skills and social interation DOES NOT Allow for instruction for motor skills or feedback of performance from trained professionals Introduce activities they can enjoy throughout a lifetime National Association for Sport and Physical Education. (2001). Recess in Elementary Schools. AAPERD.

Parents: –Become educated in the importance of a quality P.E. program –Allow your child opportunities for movement outside the classroom –Be a role-model for your child. Find activities you can both do. –Inform your school board about the benefits of physical education to your child and to the community Administrators: –Ensure physical education programs are taught by responsible physical educators who are aware of the skills theme approach –Provide the funding that is necessary to explore various life-long activities –Ensure that there is enough time allotted in a student’s schedule for P.E. Fishburne, Graham & Hickson, Clive. (2005) CAHPERD. What is the Relationship Between Physical Education and Physical Activity?