Physical education in elementary schools is important for students' health and development. It teaches children motor skills, fitness, and how to interact with others. Regular physical activity can help reduce obesity, improve cardiovascular health, build strong bones and muscles, boost mental focus, and prevent chronic diseases. National organizations recommend at least an hour of physical activity per day for children.

1. The Importance of PhysicalEducation in Elementary Schools By: Stephanie Burlison Christie Gayheart EDU 290 9/27/11

2. -Students gain knowledge of strategies that help them learn the performance of physical activities, and demonstrate the motor skills and movements that are needed to do a physical workout. -It allows children to maintain a level of physical fitness to improve their health and performance. -Students demonstrate knowledge of sociological and psychological concepts.

3. Affects Obesity has on Organs in a Child’s Body The Brain: -Double vision -Headaches Blood Vessels and Heart: -High cholesterol -High blood pressure Digestive Tract: -Gallstones -Fatty liver Lungs: -Breathing problems -Asthma -Sleeping disorders Bones and Joints: -Flat Feet -Pain in knees, hips, feet, etc.

4. Physical Education in Elementary School Physical Education in elementary schools emphasize the way in which children interact with others, the depth perception of objects moving and the speed they are going.

5. BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY If children start out exercising early in their lives it helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Exercising helps build muscle, controls weight, and reduces fat. Physical activity prevents high blood pressure.

6. Benefits of Physical Education builds social skills healthy bones good for a child’s health need A break during school concentration a way of meeting friends fights obesity gives children a positive outlook on life longer life reduces stress in children lower risk of heart disease

7. Why is it so Important? In school, academics are important, but it also healthy for children to have some type of recess break or gym class. Physical education classes exposes kids to new activities and sports. Whether it is just walking or playing tag, children should be physically active.

8. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, enforced that children have the right to play and have the right for recreation. It was created by the United Nations in 1959. The Convention of Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990, also quoted, “the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child, and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”

9. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR GIRLS During girls early and teen years, girls build toward their peak bone mass. If they are not physically active at a young age and lack the development of having strong bones, it increases girls risks of osteoporosis later in life.

10. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR BOYS In young boys, it is important for them to be physically active so they gain strong bones, muscles, and to prevent diabetes.

11. GAINS: Flexibility Muscular Strength Muscular Endurance Body Composition

12. Policy Recommendations for Schools • All elementary school children should have a physical education class. • At the elementary grade levels, emphasis should be on student learning of fundamental motor skills, activity- related knowledge, and physical fitness. • Physical education programs should have a well-developed curriculum. • Teachers should be properly trained to perform physical activity curriculums. • School physical fitness testing should emphasize health-related items. Testing should be on personal and social skills, motor skills, physical activities, etc. This will help students set personal goals and improve their self-efficacy for physical activity.

13. Children should get at least an hour of physical activity each day. It helps kids focus more in school and prevents them from being stressed. Gym class is required in schools so that children stay fit and healthy.

14. Organizations Daily physical education is not only recommended by schools but more than 20 national organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Action for Healthy Kids, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Association for State Boards of Education, and National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

15. WORKS CITED http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/adoles.htm http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-06-21-physical-education_N.htm http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=why+physical+education+is+important+in+elementary+schools&pbx=1&oq=why+physical+education+is+impor&aq=3v&aqi=g3g-v1&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2743l7484l0l8829l31l18l0l13l13l0l238l1470l3.6.2l18l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=606b3e587879bdee&biw=1279&bih=584http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=why+physical+education+is+important+in+elementary+schools&pbx=1&oq=why+physical+education+is+impor&aq=3v&aqi=g3g-v1&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2743l7484l0l8829l31l18l0l13l13l0l238l1470l3.6.2l18l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=606b3e587879bdee&biw=1279&bih=584http://bodyfitnesshealth.com/benefits-and-importance-of-physical-education/