Physical education is extremely important and, unfortunately, often undervalued. Physical literacy allows students to develop the skills to live a healthy, active life, as well as creativity, strategy, and critical thinking. These are all important life skills and, as teachers, we need to give students the skills to lead a balanced life. There needs to be balance in a school day, just as there needs to be balance in life. Education should cater to the whole child, which means making sure that a student's day is well-rounded. As educators, we need to emphasize that all subjects have value and that there are lifelong benefits to each one. However, because sacrifices need to be made, it's important to use what little time there is for physical education wisely. By doing so, we will ensure that the next generation is physically literate and reaps that benefits of an effective physical education program, including a positive attitude towards physical activity and healthy living. Widespread physical literacy has the potential to reshape our society into a healthier one.
According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, 84% of Canadian children aged 3-4 meet the Canadian Physical Activity guideline of at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day. However, despite the recommended amount of physical activity being reduced to only 60 minutes a day, the number of students meeting this guideline drops significantly at age 5. Only 7% of Canadian children aged 5-11 and 4% of children ages 12-17 achieve this recommendation. Even though Canada excels in many areas, such as access to physical activities and facilities, and youth participation in organized sports and physical activities, the sedentary lifestyle developing in our society is appalling. There is no question that developing physical literacy and a love of healthy, active living through HPE is essential.
Active Healthy Kids Canada. (2014). Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Retrieved from http://dvqdas9jty7g6.cloudfront.net/reportcard2014/AHKC_2014_ReportCard_ENG.pdf
According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, 84% of Canadian children aged 3-4 meet the Canadian Physical Activity guideline of at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day. However, despite the recommended amount of physical activity being reduced to only 60 minutes a day, the number of students meeting this guideline drops significantly at age 5. Only 7% of Canadian children aged 5-11 and 4% of children ages 12-17 achieve this recommendation. Even though Canada excels in many areas, such as access to physical activities and facilities, and youth participation in organized sports and physical activities, the sedentary lifestyle developing in our society is appalling. There is no question that developing physical literacy and a love of healthy, active living through HPE is essential.
Active Healthy Kids Canada. (2014). Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Retrieved from http://dvqdas9jty7g6.cloudfront.net/reportcard2014/AHKC_2014_ReportCard_ENG.pdf
Additionally, research suggests that physical activity has an effect on brain function. Studies indicate that after simply a few days of running, production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein in the neuron, increases. BDNF enhances the growth and repair of synapses and neurons, which improves memory function. A hormone called insulin-like growth factor is also secreted during exercise and passes into the brain enhancing growth. New capillaries also develop in the hippocampus after exercise. All of these changes in the brain occur in the sensory and motor cortex regions of the brain due to their activation during physical activity, as well as in the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain closely involved with memory and learning. While the correlation between physical activity and academic performance in children has not been thoroughly studied, there is evidence to suggest seniors who walk regularly demonstrate improved cognitive function. Regular exercise has also been showed to protect against cognitive decline, reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
Berg, K. (2010, March). Justifying Physical Education Based on Neuroscience Evidence. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 81(3), 24-46.
Berg, K. (2010, March). Justifying Physical Education Based on Neuroscience Evidence. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 81(3), 24-46.
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