Schools Need to Emphasize Physical Education

If we know that exercise prevents heart disease, obesity, diabetes and even cancer, then why aren’t we giving physical education in schools the importance it deserves? Physical education stimulates self confidence and well being. It is essential that schools understand that physical education programs are the stepping stone for exercise throughout an entire lifetime.

Physical education programs teach children about the different sports available, about health issues within sports settings, and even safety issues that need to be dealt with while exercising.

Teach the Importance of Working in Teams
School exercise programs teach children how to work in a team, how to develop healthy habits they can incorporate into their life. Principles that are taught in school can reduce obesity, heart disease and other diseases. It can keep people healthy for the rest of their lives.

Schools Make Exercise Fun
When you implement a good school exercise program, you teach children how physical education can be fun, even if the kids say they hate it, and even if they don’t want to participate in the beginning. Over the long run, they will look back to those PE classes with fondness. Kids learn about different activities and games, things that can be fun, and show them techniques in strategy and team work.

Physical education classes teach children various different life skills like, working together, problem solving, to attain the ultimate end. The learn how to play fairly and how to win or lose at anything, and this translates into a better life, and better life skills. School sports teach children how to train both mentally and physically for any goal.

School Exercise Programs Teach Nutrition
Kids learn about Healthy Eating in school Phys Ed. They learn about the basic foods and they learn about good eating habits. They are taught that eating right helps them do better in all areas of school and helps them think better.

School Exercise Programs Promote Mental Health
Know that recent research also shows that physical exercise in children improves mental and psychological skills. Exercise makes children feel energetic and happy. It makes them feel good about themselves and increases blood flow to all areas of the body.

On the other hand a lack of oxygen can create fatigue, memory loss, confusion, problems concentrating, etc.(Does that sound like the average teen, or what?)

So, overall the statistics show that kids need to get exercise in school. This is a vital program in school curriculum and every school needs to put the necessary focus and funds in this department, and not skip it or think of it as just an extra curricular course.

Tags:

Students at Tampa Schools Receive Physical Education

Not long ago, the Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, signed a new piece of legislation targeted at Florida schoolchildren. Established by Executive Order in March 2007, the Council on Physical Fitness aims to ensure that youngsters have positive experiences with physical activity so that they choose a lifelong relationship with active, healthy living. Students attending Tampa schools, along with the rest of Florida’s students, are required (at the elementary level) to receive 150 minutes of P.E. a week – about 30 minutes each day in grades K-5.

More than Just Recess

The executive order is talking about more than just recess. Tampa schools’ students are expected to participate in structured activities led by a physical education or regular education teacher. Lessons can include dance, team sports (soccer, basketball, baseball, football, lacrosse, etc…), calisthenics, track, gymnastics, and yoga. The importance of unstructured, physical play that kids get while running around on the playground is recognized, but for many schools, getting the kids at Tampa schools outside and doing something physical has to be required to ensure that it gets done in the first place.

You Can Lead a Horse to Water…

No matter how many executive orders are handed down to Tampa schools, the truth is that way too often, teachers and administrators are forced to cut back on the “extras” like recess and physical education classes in favor of more intensive reading and math instruction so that students enrolled in Tampa schools can score well on the state tests. Teachers are feeling more and more pressure to teach to the test; and they need more time to do it in if they are to get the students at Tampa schools ready in time.

Shouldn’t This Start at Home?

Physical activity would be best begun at home, like everything else. Unfortunately, there are lots of families of Tampa schools that simply do not or can not make time for their kids to get outdoors and be active. Working two or more jobs, the adults have little time or energy to devote to making sure their kids are getting adequate exercise. Maybe these kids of Tampa schools are home by themselves after school and do nothing but sit in front of the television or game system until mom and dad come home. The truth of the matter is that, just like many kids receive instruction in character education, some kids must rely on Tampa schools to ensure they are getting adequate exercise.

What’s the Goal?

The main goal of the newly established Council is to provide physical education instruction to students at Tampa schools which focuses on strength, agility, flexibility, movement, stamina, teamwork, fair play and nutrition.

While not everyone agrees that schools have a part in educating Tampa schools’ children past the 3 Rs, it is a fact that Tampa schools are in a position to do more than that; and Florida’s governor is doing everything he can to make it so.

Tags:

Physical Therapy Education Can Lead To A Rewarding Career

Perhaps you are considering a career in physical therapy. it certainly can be a rewarding career and one that is in high demand as people are more active and are living longer. Let’s take a look at physical therapy education and what you will need to do to enter this challenging field.

Going to college to major in physical therapy requires many years of training and classes. You can receive a 4 year degree or go on and enroll in graduate classes depending on your interest. Many programs even require a doctorate degree.

Physical education therapy requires you to have an interest in biology, physics, chemistry, anatomy and other subjects. As you progress you will move into more specialized training including therapeutic procedures, biomechanics, examination techniques, human growth and development, and neuroanatomy.

Of course this type of career is dealing with people and part of your education will include training to help you develop personal skills in dealing with both patients as well as their families. If you do not like people this is not a career for you.

Much of your training will be hands on outside of the classroom as well. This will include working in a lab as well as working with qualified physical therapists for supervised training.

You are learning how to deal with injuries that can happen in sport, everyday life and at work. Your job is to help people get back to their normal lifestyle. Part of that is in dealing with prevention. This can include putting together daily exercise programs to help your patients get in better overall health.

Once you have graduated you will be expected to pass a licensure exam in the state in where you will be working. Physical therapists are required to regularly update their skills by attending workshops and continuing education courses.

Many states require you to continue with ongoing education as a requirement to maintain your license. Experienced physical therapists may also take an exam to earn board certification in sub-specialty areas

When you first start out you can expect to earn around $50,000 and up. Many physical therapists begin working in hospitals or clinics and may be satisfied to stay there. As you progress if you are an entrepreneurial type you may want to open your own practice. No matter where you work this is a career dealing with people and their schedules, so you can expect to work some evenings and weekends.

Physical therapy education is the first step to a demanding and challenging career. This can lead you to work in nursing homes, fitness centers, and even other careers such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others. Who knows where it will lead you, but if helping people, making money, and working with people on a physical level appeals to you this may be a career for you.

Tags: