CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP CALENDAR

Welcome to yet another school year and another issue of the Elementary Page! We hope that you will continue to visit this section and utilize it as a valuable teaching resource to support your awesome Elementary Physical Education program!  A new school year has begun and we aim to bring to your fingertips, innovative ideas and resources!  Should you like to share comments, internet sites, ideas or more with us and other professionals around the globe, please email any of the section editors below!  Hope on board to this incredible "PE-linking" adventure! Marina Bonello Section Editor

Questions to Ask, or Thoughts to Share?

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ARE PLAYGROUNDS STILL VIABLE IN THE 21ST CENTURY? (how safe and sound they are) Is there a gap between our 21st century children's recreational needs and what we are supplying them with our 20th century playgrounds?  Do park and recreation professionals understand what to look for in playground equipment in order to offer maximum play opportunities for children?  Do we choose play equipment for children or for adults?  Finally, are playgrounds still a viable option for the 21st century?   This article explores current park and recreation professionals' knowledge and attitudes about quality play environments and the use of that information to remodel existing playgrounds in order to develop new play environments that meet the recreational needs of our children. JUNGLE GYM OR BRAIN GYM? PLAYGROUNDS CAN IMPROVE ACADEMIC READINESS! Dr. Mary McCabe, a leading expert in physical education and health of young children cites more than 80 brain research studies that suggest that the development of motor skills (movement) helps to facilitate academic readiness and learning. "The research suggests children can raise their achievement level, increase their motivation, heighten their understanding, accelerate their learning timeline, and expand their creativity through motor skills, music, and proper nutrition," says McCabe. A well-developed playground environment in a park or school setting can greatly enhance a child's overall physical and mental development, making playgrounds more than just fun.

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Whilst reading the ""Comprehensive School Health Education" text book by  Meeks, Heit & Page (1996), I came across a section (p.299) that talks about Pedestrian Safety. With  the "International Walk to School Day" on October 2nd,  I'd like to highlight areas that struck me as an educator of young children and which I will keep in mind whilst teaching about traffic safety. The authors contend that the "highest rates of pedestrian accidents and fatalities occur among children ten years of age and younger. Young children have difficulty judging vehicle distances, anticipating the speed of vehicles and understanding traffic signals and signs.   Small children are often effectively taught to look to the left and to the right before crossing the street, but then still proceed into oncoming traffic. While elementary school students can be effectively taught specific traffic safety, the ability to judge vehicle motion and spatial relationships can develop over time." Comprehensive School Health Education: Totally Awesome Strategies for Teaching Health. 2nd Edition. Meeks, Heit, Page. ISSN 1-886693-09-9.   Meeks Heit Publishing Company Inc. Ohio.

Need ideas to encourage students to wear the proper shoes to physical education? Then try the "Big Shoe Award". Want to promote physical activity outside of the Physical Education Class room? Then try "DAD"! Check out these and more recent Best Practice Ideas on PE Central. PE Central Challenge. Don't forget that the 2002 PEC Challenge is soon due! You will find all the information you need to join this motor skills challenge here.

PBS Teachers Source. Need teaching ideas to teach Health and Fitness? Check out the PBS Teachers Source. Using the available search box, you can select the age group and the topic. The ideas posted at this section are great for making interdisciplinary links. Try "How did bones get so strong?”.  You will find all the information you need including the teacher's guide, tip to getting started, resources and more.

 

Sites for Parents

A Colorful Way to Learn Youth Sports If you are looking for sites that you'd like to direct parents to; regarding child/youth sports, this is one site that can be a useful resource for you.  "A Colorful Way to Youth Sports"  includes a section on informative articles and also free online sample pictures in the  Multimedia Online Coloring Section  or the  "B.A. Good Sport Coloring Contest".   Miscellaneous Kids run on empty skipping breakfast “You wouldn't think of trying to drive your car to work in the morning on an empty tank of gas. Yet thousands of parents expect their kids to do the equivalent when they send them off to school without any breakfast.” We all know that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for school children. Yet kids are still not getting it!  Read on here.

Contribute YOUR Ideas

If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Elementary PE Section Editors:

	Gerry Cernicky
	Paula Summit
	Tom Winiecki
	Marina Bonello