"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity" -John F. Kennedy
the importance of physical activity
Physical education plays a critical role in child development. Being physically active affects your child’s mind and body. Studies have proven that being physically active positively affects a child’s academic success. If your child is taking part in valuable physical activity, they will be more motivated, alert and healthy. Through physical education, students enhance their social, cooperative and problem solving abilities. Physical activity also builds and
enhances your child’s self-esteem and confidence. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, physical education and activity can “serve as a vehicle for helping students to develop knowledge, attitudes, motor skills, behaviour skills, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physically active lifestyles.” Daily physical activity enhances the growth of
strong bones and muscles, it develops a good posture and balance, and it strengthens the heart and lungs of an individual.
Figure 1 effectively displays the types of physical activites that should be done daily, often, sometimes and minimal!
What Physical Activity Prevents?
Regular physical activity prevents or lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. It reduces the possibility of dying prematurely, having back pain and osteoporosis. It also reduces various psychological effects such as depression and anxiety.
enhances your child’s self-esteem and confidence. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, physical education and activity can “serve as a vehicle for helping students to develop knowledge, attitudes, motor skills, behaviour skills, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physically active lifestyles.” Daily physical activity enhances the growth of
strong bones and muscles, it develops a good posture and balance, and it strengthens the heart and lungs of an individual.
Figure 1 effectively displays the types of physical activites that should be done daily, often, sometimes and minimal!
What Physical Activity Prevents?
Regular physical activity prevents or lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. It reduces the possibility of dying prematurely, having back pain and osteoporosis. It also reduces various psychological effects such as depression and anxiety.
Daily Physical Activity (DPA)
What? Daily Physical activity is part of your child’s schools health and physical education program. Students are required to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity during the school day. The daily physical activity requirement is within every grades curriculum document under “Health and Physical Education”. Children are recommended to take part in one hour (60 minutes) of physical activity a day.
If you are interested in looking at the Health and Physical Education Curriculum document click on the link below : http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf
How?
According to the “Daily Physical Activity in Schools 2005: Guide for Prinicipals”, DPA must:
1. Be at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity every school day.
2. Be scheduled during instructional time every school day (outside in the yard, in the classroom or in the gym).
3. Be planned and adapted to ensure that students with special needs can participate.
4. Include a warm-up and cool-down.
5. Be only one component of health and physical education and it must not replace the teaching of the health and physical education curriculum.
If you are interested in looking at the Health and Physical Education Curriculum document click on the link below : http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf
How?
According to the “Daily Physical Activity in Schools 2005: Guide for Prinicipals”, DPA must:
1. Be at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity every school day.
2. Be scheduled during instructional time every school day (outside in the yard, in the classroom or in the gym).
3. Be planned and adapted to ensure that students with special needs can participate.
4. Include a warm-up and cool-down.
5. Be only one component of health and physical education and it must not replace the teaching of the health and physical education curriculum.
tips for parents
If you’re a parent and you are struggling with ways to get your child physically active, here are some tips:
1. Encourage your kids to walk, bike, rollerblade, or skateboard to school.
2. Enroll your children in fitness activities at your local community center.
3. Encourage your children to play outside.
4. Be a healthy role model (i.e. don’t directly go sit on the couch when you get home from work, take part in physical activity yourself, etc.)
5. Teach your kids that physical activity is fun rather than a chore.
6. Find ways to be active together as a family.
7. Limit the amount of time your children spend watching TV or playing video games
8. Be supportive of your child’s physical activity and praise them when they are active!
For more information check out the site below! This site has many additional links that pertain to children’s physical activity and healthy tips! http://www.education.com/topic/child-health/
Curious to see what the news is saying about kids physical activity? Check out the two links below!
CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/kids-get-less-physical-activity-than-parents-believe-1.1254088
The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-kids-get-failing-grade-in-physical-activity-report/article4216631/
1. Encourage your kids to walk, bike, rollerblade, or skateboard to school.
2. Enroll your children in fitness activities at your local community center.
3. Encourage your children to play outside.
4. Be a healthy role model (i.e. don’t directly go sit on the couch when you get home from work, take part in physical activity yourself, etc.)
5. Teach your kids that physical activity is fun rather than a chore.
6. Find ways to be active together as a family.
7. Limit the amount of time your children spend watching TV or playing video games
8. Be supportive of your child’s physical activity and praise them when they are active!
For more information check out the site below! This site has many additional links that pertain to children’s physical activity and healthy tips! http://www.education.com/topic/child-health/
Curious to see what the news is saying about kids physical activity? Check out the two links below!
CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/kids-get-less-physical-activity-than-parents-believe-1.1254088
The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-kids-get-failing-grade-in-physical-activity-report/article4216631/
Who's responsible?
The chart below contains the DPA responsibilities of several groups of people involved in the school. These groups of individuals are responsible to ensure that students are practicing their right to DPA (Daily Physical Activity) properly and effectively.
References
American Cancer Society. (2013). Physical Education in Schools: Both Quality and Quantity are Important. Everyday Choices. Retrieved from http://www.everydaychoices.org/082008/PE%20in%20Schools%20Statement%20ACS%20ADA%20AHA%205.27.08%20_final_.pdf
Ministry of Education. (2006). Daily Physical Activity in Schools: Guide for School Principals. Government of Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa_principals.pdf
Mymedicalreports. (2012). Children Are Not Getting the Physical Activity They Need. Youtube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl7kOYU2WxY
National Association for Sport and Physical education. (2001). Physical Education is Critical to a Complete Education.Tandalay. Retrieved from https://www.tandalay.com/email-templates/home/pe_critical.pdf
NutriStrategy. (2013). Health Benefits of Exercise. Nutri Strategy.Retrieved from http://www.nutristrategy.com/health.htm
Participaction. (2011). Lifestyle Tips. Participaction. Retrieved from http://www.participaction.com/pdf/November_Lifestyle%20Tips_Eng.pdf
Main Page Image: Steeves, C. (2013). Children and Obestiy: Part1. SheTAXI. Retrieved from http://shetaxi.com/children-and-obesity-part-1/
Figure 1: Color Me Healthy. (N/A). Physical Activity Pyramid. Color Me Healthy. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.colormehealthy.com/0_docs/PAPyramid-Kids.pdf
Figure 2: North Vancouver School District. (N/A). Daily Physical Activity. Windsor Secondary North Vancouver School District. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.sd44.ca/school/windsor/ProgramsServices/Courses/DailyPhysicalActivity/Pages/default.aspx
Figure 3: Ministry of Education. (2006). Daily Physical Activity in Schools: Guide for School Principals. Government of Ontario. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa_principals.pdf