Question from a reader — I was wondering if you could recommend a good physical education curriculum? I am having a hard time making time for formal PE, where they are actually getting exercise or learning a new physical skill. Susan Peterson
Question from a reader — I was wondering if you could recommend a good physical education curriculum? I am having a hard time making time for formal PE, where they are actually getting exercise or learning a new physical skill. Susan Peterson
Our kids are all involved in dance, cheer and basketball. But we also make it a point of playing together as a family. That includes soccer, baseball dodgeball in the yard. We also have a trampoline that our kids use regularly and a pool in summer. In winter I made up an exercised plan for them and they had to do it 3 times a week.
I enroll my kids every school year in local dance and gymnastics schools and log this as their phys.ed. hours. There are many local centers from the Y to community centers with all sports programs for all ages. Tennis, volleyball, soccer, baseball, swimming, etc. I have girls and they are only interested in typical girl activities. Our homeschool co-ops in this area also offer formal physical education classes taught by Moms or Dads, which cover the same activities a public school would. If you are trying to expose your child to many types of physical activities I would start with a center rather than a curriculum. You know you are signed up, and paid, and so you will make the time. When you discover their interests and talents you will know what to focus on, and at that point I honestly don’t see a need for an actual curriculum…just log the hours they spend in class and practicing, same as with music lessons and practice. Hope that helped. I would say, most importantly, try to identify your child’s God given personal talents and interests, and cater to that.
My son has a gym membership where he can either play with kids in a kidmazium or go to activities for his age group (dodgeball, wiffleball, soccer, floor hockey, etc.). He also belongs to a dojo where he is learning Tae Kwon Do. My son also has specific exercises given to him by his physical therapist. We go to the park as often as possible to play baseball (he’s learning the rules and proper play), volleyball, soccer, basketball, and football. I also try to have him run (for fun and for purpose). You might want to look at your local library for ideas. There are many books featuring specific activities based on age or ability. If you have a park with a variety of bars and ladders, you could also make your own gymnastics lesson based on the equipment you have. The point is that anything counts-make it fit your children’s abilities and desires.
Limit electronic game time.
Yes you’ll be the worst enemy in the western hemisphere, but consistently require outside work and play time.
Is there a tree big enough to climb?
Get a lot of used rope: kids + rope + trees = great imagination practice and physical exercise. And motherly fears of kids hanging themselves: don’t worry, it’s highly unlikely to happen.
Trust your kids to ride their bikes places instead of driving them (my brothers and I, at 12 and 14, were able to bike 10 miles to mow the church lawns and go to sports practice). Kids will learn how to navigate traffic, read directions, make new boundaries, and gain independence.
It also sets up an appreciation for exercise as they appreciate the freedom that comes along with it.
And people who think home-schoolers are synonymous with conservative eco-monsters can see you’re “doing your part” even though you’re just giving yourself more free time. 🙂
One curriculum that is working wonders at my school was the introduction of a “Individual Fitness” class. Instead of going the traditional “team sport” approach, this is more based on getting students into good shape based on individual or group activities as opposed to games. These activities generally can be considered lifetime activities as well.
You can implement anything into the curriculum that benefits individual fitness such as different types of dance, aerobics, workout programs, skating, bowling, lifting weights, yoga, etc. Many of these can be done alone or in groups. Many times it is beneficial to bring in community “experts” to teach the class. Anything that you want can be added. There are also fun fitness games that you can add, but the main jist of the class is focusing on being fit for a lifetime. Many students prefer this type of class as opposed to the team setting.