American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: September 2012

Family and Community Involvement in the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program
Kristin Cipriani, Cheryl Richardson, & Georgi Roberts

Abstract: Engaging families and communities in physical activities for the benefit of children is an extension of the role of a physical education instructor. Although it is possible for a physical educator to generate ideas that encourage families and communities to move, a certified director of physical activity (C-DPA) would be better trained to facilitate family and community involvement in physical activity. This article provides a brief review of existing research about the benefits of family and community involvement in creating a physically active environment for children and presents a number of strategies that a physical educator, especially a C-DPA, can implement to make family and community involvement a reality.