Olympic Challenge for kids

Only 60 odd months to go to the London Olympics. I think this gives us
a great opportunity to focus on the health and wellbeing of our
schoolchildren. Over the last few years PE in schools has taken far
too much of a backseat, in favour of purely academic stuff. This has
GOT to stop. Also, there is link between physical wellbeing and
academic achievement anyway...if a child is healthy and fit then his/
her concentration is better and sharper. If you care about your/our
children doing well academically then you will also support them
taking part in regular exercise, because they are very much linked. My
kids all take part in regular exercise and are all doing very well
academically.

I think it is appalling that so many playing fields have been lost
over the last 15 years, and call upon the government and local
authorities to reverse this trend urgently. I also call upon school
authorities to press for updating of sports rooms and equipment in
their schools (update the tired gyms with low ceilings). Forward-
looking school heads will also ensure that PE is or soon becomes part
of their school's core curriculum (as it is in many independant/
private schools). Those who do not will not only be failing their
school's kids but will also be seen to be poor leaders. Parents should
be checking that their kid's school is providing at least two hours
per week on PE and that is is spaced out over the week (maybe Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, for instance). Let's get kids hooked into sport
at school.

But we must make the most of what we've now got and renew all our
efforts to get kids involved in more PE at schools, as either parents
or teachers. I think we can and should engage our kids in a concerted
effort over the next five years to raise fitness levels. NOT just
concentrating on the stars of the future - fitness is for every child
of whatever ability, academic kids as well (if not more) than others.
We must make TIME for PE at regular intervals in the school week - PE
must not just be an activity on Friday afternoons, or some other once
per week session.

I know that getting kids engaged in sport is going to be quite a
challenge. Kids generally just aren't used to it, and they've had
academic achievement alone rammed down their throats for far too long
now. A starting point is the 'bleep test' and I support the use of
technology to measure and record kids starting fitness levels and
their progress. (as a side issue I am engaged in geocaching and find
my own kids and other children love to use the GPS when getting out
into the countryside. I think this is a natural thing as kids are used
to technology, so we can use technology to re-engage them into sport).
I am very aware the girls in particular are somewhat generally against
sport, and believe the approach and communication strategy needed to
re-engage girls needs careful consideration. But it will be a
challenge for boys too.

I am a great believer in getting kids outside to do sports and I hope
that local playing fields can be better used for this. Some parents
have got to grow up too - it's GOOD for kids to get out when it's wet
and cool, sunny as well. Some parents have got to grow up and realise
that their kids aren't gonna die of hypothermia or sunburn when they
engage is sensibly planned outdoor activities. So make it easier for
teachers to get kids doing outside activities. Let's find reasons why
kids SHOULD get onto playng fields, not why they shouldn't.

No doubt that initially kids will drop out before even breaking into a
sweat in great numbers (perhaps the majority), but with the
determination of teachers and parents working together the number will
become the minority. Parents must take a lead role in ensuring kids do
not 'forget' their kit. If they do so then this does nothing but
exaccerbate the fact that a quarter of British kids are now clinically
obese.

I think it will be essential to talk with kids to gain a better
understanding of their attitudes to sport, and try to devise
stimulating ways to manage the change through. The use of technology
has already been mentioned and music can also form a major part of the
PE sessions.

In summary, engagement in sport is good for a child's academic
progress, as physical fitness stimulates concentration/energy levels.
We have a great opportunity in the run up to the Olympics to get all
kids engaged, and reverse the current trend towards obesity. There
will be initial resistance from kids but this is managable if parents
are involved and PE is delivered through enthusiasm/example and using
technology and music. Girls are a special case, but boys will be
tricky too....the management of this change will need thought. Let's
get some schools 'beaconing' sport so that others follow...let's be
bold about PE in schools, for the wellbeing of all our children!

.