Fitness and physical activity for school-age children ...

Updated May 19, 2014.

Short bursts of 15, 10 or even 5 minutes count for the number of days, so make sure that your child has many opportunities for physical activity before, during and after school.

Physical activities in the school

Academics are important, but find time for fitness. If children have the ability to run and play at recess, will be more (and move less) during class. Physical education (PE) provides a further opportunity at school to move while. It also makes children new sports and games, and represents a significant health habits.

But not all children sufficient recess and PE time:

• Only 8% of elementary schools provide daily physical education.
• Only nine states require elementary schools provide daily recess.

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education, among other groups, recommends at least 150 minutes per week physical education for elementary school students, which means 30 minutes per day on average. The association also encourages schools to plan daily rent for at least a period of 20 minutes. If your school does not meet these goals (many do not), ask the principal or school management, to account for changes and find ways to help your child to stay active outside of school hours.

Physical activities in the park, playground or pool

6 In the early age of seven years of primary school, most children's physical coordination and attention, and the ability to understand the rules, you have to practice in organized sports. A few years later, between 10 and 12 years and handled the added pressure of the team competition.

Look for classes and recreational leagues, fitness emphasize strengthening the skills, fair play, and above all, fun. Ask. Your child for the sport that interests you, and give you the opportunity to try many different activities The two will be surprised what to do well and loves it in!

If your child loves team sports, try:

If your child prefers to take into account the individual activities:

Physical activities at home

Give the children all the time and space to play, as you can. Develop a variety of physical activities. The mixture helps children do not get bored and also helps to work many muscle groups. The emphasis on fun and action (without competition or "should").

Try these ideas for Family Fitness (hey, it could probably a little exercise too!)

• Walking or Hiking (Find a track near you)
• Cycling or skating
• Jump rope or shoot a tire
• Play ball or Frisbee
• Outdoor games such as chatting, Mother May I, Red Light Green Light or
• Within dance
• Running in the sprinkler, spraying each other with a hose or other water play activities
• Sledding or snowshoeing

_Swell

_{National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Heart Association (2010) 2010 shape of the nation report.:. Status of physical education in the United States, Reston, VA. National Association for Sport and Physical Education.}

_{Parsad, B., and Lewis, L. (2006). Calories, Calories Out: Food and Exercise in Public Elementary Schools in 2005 (NCES 2006-057). States Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.}