This month in Physical Education, the students have been participating in Cooperative Activities. These activities give the students a chance to solve a challenge. We give the students guidelines to the problem and they have to come up with a solution.

 Students have to work together, share ideas, stay focused, listen, talk when given the turn, and keep a positive attitude. These activities give the students a chance to see their fellow classmates in an alternative perspective.

 Some of the activities are Ship Ahoy, Peanut Butter and Jelly, The Human Knot, Alphabet Balance Beam, and Parachute Activities. The students have done a great job with this unit.

Have a happy holiday season.

Participation in regular physical activity has both short and long term benefits. Short term it helps with weight control, builds and maintains muscle and bone, and improves psychological well being.  Long term physical activity decreases the risk of numerous chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Children develop physical skills differently both as individuals and in accordance with their developmental age.  Organized athletic sports is only one avenue that parents can use to encourage physical activity.  Children between the ages of 5 and 11 enjoy activities that focus on having fun and developing motor skills rather than on competition such as walking, biking, hiking, dancing, skating, and swimming. Praise all physical activity, not matter what their skill level – this will foster enjoyment and establish lifelong habits. Families that engage in activities together will all benefit. Limiting television time to 1 hour a day and encouraging outdoor play at ALL times of the year will also encourage them to become more active.

Children are going through periods of rapid growth.  This increases their risk of injury.  To prevent injury, children should drink plenty of fluids and wear appropriate safety equipment such as helmets, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads.

In regards to strength training in children – Strength training programs for preadolescents and adolescents can be safe and effective if proper resistance training techniques and safety precautions are followed.  A strength training program can be started in preadolescence after children have a medical evaluation by their health care provider. If children or adolescents undertake a strength training program, they should begin with low-resistance exercises with small, gradual increments.  Power lifting, body building, and maximal lifts should be avoided until physical and skeletal maturity is achieved in late adolescence.

Adolescents and adults should be physically active every day. This can be achieved through moderate physical activities (eg, brisk walking for 30 minutes) or through shorter, more intense activities (eg., jogging or playing basketball for 15 to 20 minutes).  Physical activity can be incorporated into our daily lives by using the stairs instead of taking the elevator, walking or riding a bike instead of riding in a car.  Of utmost importance is finding activities you ENJOY doing. Don’t be afraid to try a new activity or sport!

Physical Activity riddle:  What burns more calories – Walking or jogging 1 mile?  Stop by the health office for the answer….

Mary Lou Pulcino, M.S., P.N.P.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
West Irondequoit School District

Webpages created by Bob Schultz
updated 1/11/2003 by Mr. Moyer and B. Schultz