Contributions of Physical Activity in the Elementary School SettingJoin now to read essay Contributions of Physical Activity in the Elementary School SettingContributions of Physical Activity in the Elementary School SettingPhysical education in the elementary school system is an essential curriculum for the development of all children. Early physical education classes provide children with a process for progression from the random play stage to the organized game and eventually structured learning. Throughout this process, children learn the value of group dynamics.
Values such as sharing, team play, communication and respect for others become common practice. Apart from group development, physical education at an early age can also dramatically help children succeed in the classroom environment. All children learn at different rates. Learning new ideas and developing them require time and much practice before reaching some success. Most children at some point during this period will struggle. Physical education at this age can provide children with the opportunity to succeed and be a sort of mental recess.
Games and play can be developed so that children can associate learning with activity. Since kids enjoy games and play and can easily succeed in this medium, physical activity is therefore a confidence booster that will last forever in every child. Success in play can be carried over into the classroom and in future life endeavors.
It seems today that time spent on computers and televisions has overtaken physical activity. If children are taught physical games and how to play sports at a younger age it will hopefully carry over to an out of school setting. Out of school physical activity increases exercise time which will in turn lead to a healthier child.
Physical education for children is also very important in the development of a healthy body. In a report by the Surgeon General in 2001, it says that “Schools are identified as a key setting for public health strategies to prevent and decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Most children spend a large portion of time in school. Schools provide many opportunities to engage children in healthy eating and physical activity and to reinforce healthy diet and physical activity messages.” It’s been reported by the Grocery Manufacturers of America that physical activity and good nutrition can prevent high blood pressure, increase muscle strength, and reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes and osteoporosis. During this early period in their lives, children can develop poor eating habits that make physical play difficult to participate in, eventually steering children away from joining in physical activity. Therefore
The Healthy School Act does not allow children to sit the wheel of a car or jump on top of cars. However, the Act also extends a child’s rights in order to prevent health care providers from discriminating against a parent. Additionally, the Act protects children from discrimination by a health provider based on their gender, sexual orientation, and physical appearance. The Act also requires the Child Labor Bureau to develop and submit guidelines for training workers in the safe care of school workers; provide a school worker with appropriate and standardized equipment; provide a training program that enables employees to properly supervise their employees, assess the safety of employees; and give the school worker an employee rating in the appropriate employment quality assessment process.
In 2007, the American Beverage Association (ABA) in conjunction with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) made the first national statement that promotes and supports the Healthy School Act in the U.S. This national statement seeks to:
Promote a strong educational culture, including the use of sports, cultural interaction, and a positive learning environment that enables children to participate and develop in health care and to contribute positively to society.
Strengthen the child’s trust in their teachers and school institutions.
Promote healthy communication and collaboration between parents and child advocates, especially among school administrators.
Build and maintain an inclusive and well-developed relationship with the child’s family members.
Build and maintain a healthy partnership with the local governmental office where the child is enrolled in high school.
In 2009, the ABA issued a new guidance, “Strengthening and Enhancing the Public School Public Education Act”. The Act establishes policies and standards to support children and youth in school education and provides the Department of Education with the responsibility to develop policies and standards that are consistent with the interests of the private sector in implementing these policies and standards. There are several key aspects that must be met:
Establish a federal school program called the Children’s Health Education, Training, and Continuing Education Program (CHESTED). These programs help schools and adults teach and educate children through classroom activities or instructional projects.
These programs help schools and adults teach and educate children through classroom activities or instructional projects. Provide federal-government training and training to states and local school boards and public schools that have committed to providing school workers with education facilities.
Provide federal-government training and training to states and local school boards and public schools that have committed to providing school workers with education facilities. Work with the School Opportunity Administration (SOPA) to establish a regional program of elementary, middle and high schools. Through this program, SOPA plans to provide students with information opportunities and programs that enable them to connect through the Internet as they become prepared for life in the workforce. This new curriculum would develop classroom techniques and programs and would help to improve classroom learning.
Under certain circumstances, individuals or organizations may be awarded public funds to provide education. These funds could be used to build a system of training, instruction and educational programs for adults in the U.S., through education institutions or other state-funded educational exchanges, as defined hereafter and in local, state and national public schools.
In the years to come, programs to provide youth with quality schools or other public education resources could be implemented as proposed by state and state legislatures. These programs include such provisions as enhancing the access to quality public education resources, such as classroom facilities, by placing special learning resources in primary, secondary, and and middle schools.
As part of an effort to reduce school and teacher obesity, the U.S. Academy of Pediatrics (USAP) established the Healthy School Act in 2007—currently scheduled for a 2018 implementation.
There are several provisions governing the use