Physical health of Elementary Children

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The grade school years are a time where children are starting to learn about the world
they live in. Children also start to learn about their capabilities and what they may aspire to do
when they are older. This is the age group where their minds are like little sponges; they want to
absorb information, for the most part. Physical education plays a key role in helping children to
understand the importance of exercise. It is also a time where they may find a sport they
particularly enjoy and join a team. Today technology is starting to play a role in helping children
want to exercise. Physical activity along with a healthy diet helps children have a better outlook
on life.
According to Shape America there are four main components of physical education that
include policy and environment, curriculum, appropriate instruction, and student assessment. The
policy and environment component ensures that schools across the US are implementing state
requirements. Curriculum includes a clear plan as to what the standards are and how the
education outcomes will be achieved. Appropriate instruction, takes into account the diverse
development levels that students in all grade levels will exhibit (Partner Programs). Then lastly
student assessment is where evidence is gathered about student success and making changes
based on the evidence (). The Shape America organization partners with Michelle Obamas
Lets move campaign. Both are working together to bring back physical education programs
and to teach kids about healthy diets. Shape America also supports educators with the adapted
physical education assessment scale which is used for children with special needs. The

organization even goes into exploring dance and providing educators with information in dance
pedagogy, movement training, performance practices and technology (Partner Programs).
Everyone remembers physical education; there were the kids who loved all the
competitive games and those who dreaded getting picked last. A physical education instructor not
only has to be knowledgeable about health and sports, they also have to think creatively in order
to get kids involved. One organization that promotes health is the American Heart Association
and many elementary schools get involved with a fundraiser called Jump Rope for Heart. Jump
Rope for Heart is a fundraiser where students jump rope for a certain amount of time in order to
raise funds for the American Heart Association.
One of the areas of physical education is cardiovascular exercise. Schools
are starting to use the heart rate monitor and pedometer to help students keep track
of their progress. There was a study done on how much students would participate
in physical activity if given a heart rate monitor and pedometer, along with a supportive
curriculum. In an interview Carolyn Cruise stated that technology might be an awful idea to
them at the beginning. The participants in this study were fourth and fifth graders in a suburban
area. The children were split into several groups, some had just the heart rate monitor or the
pedometer, others h ad a combination of the heart rate monitor and supportive curriculum or the
pedometer and supportive curriculum. The last group was the control group which didnt have
the heart rate monitor, pedometer or the supportive curriculum. At the end of the study
researchers found that technology and supportive curriculum separately had a positive effect on
steps per minute, but together they were not as effective. Also, technology and supportive
curriculum together did have a significant effect on beats per minute. Overall the study found

that students enjoyed the use of technology in the physical education setting and that it helps to
motivate students to do more physical activity (Clapham, E. D).
Technology may be helping children be more motivated to exercise but they also need to
http://www.heartratemonitorz.co
learn how to incorporate a nutritious diet. One should have the knowledge on how to balance
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exercise and nutrition because both help with overall well-being. Carolyn mentioned

how a healthy diet should be taught as a separate class, I think it would be a good class
to have on its own, to teach children at a young age how to eat healthy and a classroom
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setting is different than phys. ed. In todays culture people are usually on-the-go and

look for quick snacks which are not always the healthiest choices. I think it
starts at home and teaching the parents and educating the parents is probably
a good way to help with that (Carolyn). The USDA even mentions how
good nutrition starts at home. Also, they created Team Nutrition that is
helping to improve school meals on a local level. One idea is to reach out to
parents and offer classes on a healthy lifestyle. The classes could teach
parents easy ways to create fun, nutritious snacks and meals for the family.

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Having physical education is just the start; many elementary schools also include recess
which lasts about thirty minutes. Recess is important, now I think more and more in education
they are pushing more for the kids to learn in the classroom and to have that time out to be
themselves and run and scream and whatever else they do outside, so yeah I think its pretty
important. Carolyn said when asked if she thought recess is important to a school day. A school
district in Southeastern Carolina started to include the thirty minute recess time of the onehundred fifty minutes of physical education which is state mandated. This was done during a
study to see whether or not providing equipment during recess helped children be more

physically active. At the end of the study it was seen that equipment did indeed help the children
want to play and be more physically active (Elliott, S.).
Childhood obesity has become more of an issue in the last few years. Eighteen percent of
children between the ages of six and eleven are considered obese as of 2012, which is an eleven
percent increase since 1980. The more overweight a child is causes a higher risk of
cardiovascular disease, 70% of obese youth have at least one risk
factor for cardiovascular disease (Childhood obesity facts).
Having a good balance of physical activity and a healthy diet
can help decrease the percentage of obese children. Parents want the best for their children and
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by providing information about exercising and a balanced diet may not only help their children,
it may help them become healthier too.
In conclusion, physical education plays a vital role in a childs overall health; it helps
them to learn more about the importance of staying fit. Many studies have been done to help
improve physical education standards including the use of heart rate monitors and pedometers
along with the use of equipment during recess. Also organizations like the American Heart
Association have designed programs/ fundraisers that raise awareness about how important it is
to exercise in order to stay healthy and strong. Healthy children are also happy children, so
hopefully the future holds less obesity and more programs about living well.

Works cited
Carolyn Cruise. Physical Health for Elementary children. Personal Interview. 30 Mar. 2015.
Childhood obesity facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm>.
Clapham, E. D., Sullivan, E. C., & Ciccomascolo, L. E. (2015). Effects of a Physical Education
Supportive Curriculum and Technological Devices on Physical Activity. Physical
Educator, 72(1), 102-116.
Elliott, S., Combs, S., & Boyce, R. (2011). Recess Physical Activity Packs in Elementary
Schools: A Qualitative Investigation. Physical Educator, 68(3), 150-162.
"Partner Programs." Shape America Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.shapeamerica.org/>.
"Team Nutrition." Parents. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/parents>.