Schools get a failing grade in P.E.

Research shows that parents understand the value of physical education in obesity prevention, learning readiness, and brain development.   Parents want more activity for their children during school hours.  They want curriculum that enhances motor development and teaches healthy habits for life.  Why, then, are schools cutting Physical Education at all grade levels?  Why do administrators disregard the hoards of research that proves physical activity enhances academic learning?   Are they ignorant of it, or just don’t care?  And if they are ignorant of it, WHY?  A school administrator’s job is to stay current on the research and provide the richest learning environment possible for kids.   

Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that our kids get one shot at their education.  And if it’s not done well the kids are ones who suffer.  The job of parents is to be an advocate for their child to protect them from harm.  This includes harm by clueless school systems!  PLEASE, become informed and involved in your child’s school.  Read the research and be active in promoting positive change.  Kids should have regular activity breaks because it not only burns calories and teaches healthy habits, it also produces brain chemicals that enhance learning and quiet behavior.  Kids actually learn more in less time.  Their focus increases, memory increases, and they process information more efficiently.

I have visited and read about many school systems who have integrated movement into the classroom in response to the latest research.  Some kids are sitting on exercise balls during class.  Some classes take a 10 minute activity break.  Some schools have increased their Physical Education time.  There are so many ways to incorporate movement into the school day!  It sure isn’t difficult, so why isn’t everybody doing it?  Maybe laziness?  It is easier to do things the way they have always been done.  That approach doesn’t require any energy, creativity, problem solving or critical thinking.  But, the damage will be evident 10 – 20 years from now when we can’t go back and do it over.

Please click on the link above (in the first sentence) to get started with your education.  Then, Google “physical activity and learning” or other key words to become informed.  Then, gather other parents and become advocates for change in your child’s education.  You will be glad you did, and please tell us about it!