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KEEPING CHILDREN AND YOUTH TURNED ON TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

May 1-7, 2010 – "Keeping children and youth turned on to physical activity is one of the biggest challenges facing parents," says Your Name, Name of Your School.  "Almost half of young people aged 12-21 and more than a third of high school students do not participate in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis.  This inactivity is one of the biggest contributors to obesity over a lifetime."

          The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) says "Our children's lack of physical activity is a national crisis because physically inactive, overweight children grow up to become physically inactive, obese adults."  During MAY: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month,  NASPE is urging parents and schools to help children explore a wide variety of physical activities to determine what they like and then encourage them to participate in those activities on a regular basis. The theme for National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1-7) is "Move Every Body, Every Day, Every Way."  

          NASPE recommends that schools and families incorporate at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity into each child's daily routine.  The challenge isn't finding enough time in the day for a child to exercise, rather, it is helping each child identify a sport or activity that he or she enjoys as much as watching television or playing computer games.

          For many young kids (those under the age of eight), the problem isn't inactivity, it is trying to slow them down.  However, children between the ages of eight and 10 seem to choose one of two routes: the athletic way or the non-athletic way. Those who choose the athletic route play on teams, participate in dance clubs or martial arts, for example.

          As youngsters enter middle school, however, organized physical activities become limited. Thus the challenge for parents is to assist their children in finding physical activities that they enjoy doing with their friends, and that does not require a coach or instructor.  Kids need to discover what else is out there for them: riding a bike, in-line skating, dancing, golf, tennis, martial arts or maybe going to the gym. It is important to allow them to explore these different opportunities and determine what activities they truly enjoy.

          NASPE also suggests that parents limit the amount of time their children spend in front of the television or computer to less than two hours a day, and that they see their parents having fun participating in physical activities of their own choosing. Children learn by example. If you enjoy and participate in physical activity, so will your children.    

          Activities and other resources teachers and parents can use during National Physical Education and Sport Week can be found on the NASPE Web site: www.naspeinfo.org.

NASPE

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 16,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information.  It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD).  For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

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