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The importance of promoting physical education
It is difficult to overestimate just how important it is to be
a strong advocate for physical education.
Each day in the newspapers we read of concerns about youth fitness,
childhood obesity and the low levels of physical activity and exercise
engaged in by many adults.
Yet not often enough do these newspaper reports identify school
physical education programs as being a critical solution. Not often
enough do reports explicitly state that physical education is the
key to helping individuals become physically active for life. And
not often enough do reports emphasize that a strong school physical
education program and a caring and energetic teacher will educate
students on the best ways to achieve physical fitness and and an
active lifestyle.
What can be done? Teachers and students can be encouraged to submit
articles or letters to the the local newspaper, magazines (sports
and otherwise), internet sites, and newsletters. This is already
happening within many schools and universities. The purpose is to
detail the positive things that are happening within the
school physical education program. Stories of success can be written
from a variety of different perspectives: student achievement; lesson
variety; programs and facilities; collaboration with community groups;
and connections to the school athletic programs.
There are good things happening in physical education and we need
to tell others. Promote your programs, and help open the eyes of
the public to the great potential of physical education to address
the health and wellness concerns they read about in the news each
day.
Darren
Dale
Health, Fitness & Nutrition Section Editor
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