I have a question...
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Before I begin my Health Education lesson with each class, I ask them 2 important questions: Did you eat breakfast this morning and do you exercise [by yourself or with your parents]? Then, based on their responses, I decide if they have enough energy to actively listen and participate or if I need to give them an extra 3 minutes to twist, jiggle and shake --to get their blood flowing.
Surprisingly, a MAJORITY of the students I ask tell me they go to the gym with their parents and participate in several exercises like lifting weights, jogging, push-ups, etc. And this is a good thing because not all recess playgrounds are created equal. Many don’t have up-to-date playground equipment, balls, jump-ropes, or chalk — so kids either socialize amongst themselves or get on social media.
What’s the big deal anyway?
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According to a 2022 CDC study, https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm, less than 24% of children between the ages of 6 to 17 exercise daily. And this percentage is very alarming since experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics says physical activity plays a vital role in children’s overall well being. The physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits that come from recess/P.E. can actually help students do better in school and in life.
At the end of the day…
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Schools shouldn’t be solely responsible for providing, 6-17 year old children, with the US Health Department’s recommended hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
Parents must create time for exercise outside of school in order to give children time to engage in creative play, practice life skills, and regulate physical activity. So, if parents and schools want children to improve their thoughts and behavior, then they are better off giving them time to exercise and destress during and after school.
Oh, and one more thing...
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Too much of anything CAN have negative effects so if you notice the following, then your little one should cut down on how often and how long he or she exercises after school:
-too tired to complete homework assignments
-begins to hate working out after school
-too sore to begin or even finish his or her chores.
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