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Kids' exercise and physical education
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While recent studies seem to show that physical education class does not necessarily make children more active, I have a hard time concluding, as John Cloud of Time.com does, that “all that money we have spent to get kids into P.E. might be better spent helping schools to serve fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch instead of tater tots.”
Nutrition is an issue of paramount importance, but it seems rash to give up on physical education for our children simply because gym class alone might not reduce the impact of childhood obesity. Aren’t we missing the point?
A key part of early childhood education is developing the habits and perspectives that will serve kids well throughout their lives, both in and out of school. No one should be bullied into exercise, but every child should have the opportunity to run and move and strive for excellence in mind, spirit, and body.
P.E. or no P.E., here are a few excellent books that will jump-start a movement revolution in little kids. Just try to keep them in their seats.
Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes by Joanna Cole is a treasure trove of rhythmic poems that can be chanted while jumping rope. Pick one or two to focus on each week, and watch the skill level of little jumpers improve before your eyes. As a bonus, these rhymes give tons of practice with phonics concepts!
From Head to Toe Best for younger learners (toddler through kindergarten) this Eric Carle classic shows the movements of different animals being imitated by a young and agile boy. Start by reading this book indoors, and then head outside to act out the movements of as many animals as your kids can dream up. Stretch their imaginations by inventing animal combinations that string different movements together.
Quick as a Cricket Author Audrey Wood presents an engaging and complete portrait of the characteristics that make up an individual. Not surprisingly, some of these similes focus on what the main character can do with his strong, growing body, as the title suggests. Link the concepts in this book with the idea of comparisons, and encourage kids to think up – and demonstrate – their own original similes that have to do with movement.
For more info:
- More book suggestions from Molly
- More movement-related read-alouds
- Physical Education lesson plans for early childhood
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