Toughen Up P.E. Requirements

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

27 Aug 2006 10:45 AM

We've talked about the fact that just going to a physical education class in school isn't enough as far as a child's physical activity level is concerned. That they need more activity in their day from team sports to dancing to gymnastics and more. However, that does not mean P.E. classes need to be eliminated - instead the demands and rigors of the class need to be toughened.

Why Do the P.E. Requirements need to be toughened?

Just thinking back to my own days in a P.E. class, half the time was spent standing around and waiting for a turn to do an activity. Talking to my five-year-old daughter about her P.E. class that she takes once every three school days (which is hardly enough), she is still standing around and waiting her turn.

Most P.E. classes involve running laps in the gym, throwing a ball around and playing some physical sports like variants on volleyball and war ball (dodge ball). The requirements for a 45 to 60 minute class may only see your child being active for about a third of that time.

How Can We Toughen Up the Requirements

Instructors in physical education are required to be degreed in their areas of expertise. But they should also learn to balance class size versus activity levels to minimize how much time anyone is spending just standing around and waiting their turn. While most schools are limited to having one gymnasium and you need to take into account that kids are growing and developing daily.

The first requirement P.E. teachers need to meet is to keep their kids in motion. First and foremost, eliminate or enhance activities that require kids to stand around waiting. Small teams can play soccer and that can keep all the kids moving and running after the ball. Equally true are general physical activities like running, push-ups, sit-ups and more. Outdoor sports (weather permitting) are another way to keep kids on the move. Rock climbing walls, rope climbing and other muscle demanding exercises are a way to keep kids in motion.

It's not enough for a school district to increase the amount of time in P.E. if they are not increasing the quality of the time the students spend on physical activity. An hour's class daily will not help if the kids spend only fifteen minutes of the hour being active.

Talk to your school, your school board and the state requirements board about toughening up your school's P.E. requirements.

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 27 Aug 2006 11:16 AM

I don't know about anywhere else but. . .here teachers are required to "balance literacy" in their P.E. classrooms. This means that kids learn a sport from start to finish, do reading and reports on the sport and then take a test on it. All in the name of P.E. I don't think I can comment here on this practice because it's just that stupid.

I personally think that P.E. teachers should make a point to educate parents about turning off the T.V., and encouraging family activities like bicycling, hiking or anything. In my world, P.E. teachers would be required to meet with the parents of obese kids and discuss nutrition and family activities. This year, we're taking up swimming because my kids don't know how to swim yet.

Great article Heather!