Keep Your Kid Healthy WIth 20 Minutes Of Play A Day

I don’t remember much from my days in elementary school, but I do fondly recall the moments I spent on the playground during recess. For 20 minutes every day I ran around with my friends, playing stick ball and having a really good time. These were scheduled play times, in addition to physical education (PE).

Without PE time, students risk obesity, diabetes and other problems. Even back in the “good ol’ days” educators knew that allowing play time during school hours increased student’s performance in school — and decreased behavioral problems.

Fast forward to today. Schools are facing pressure to increase academic outcomes in an environment where money is tight and teachers are treated with little respect. Play time and PE are axed in favor of increasing time on tested subjects, with the unintended consequences for our children’s health including increased childhood obesity rates.

At a time when schools are intensely focused on raising student test scores, there are other important aspects of learning that do not appear on exams, such as music, art and physical activity. Physical activity should remain a central feature of children’s academic experience for many reasons.

Physical activity has essentially been removed from our lives. Kids ride to school instead of walking, and in their free time, instead of playing outdoors, they stay inside and watch TV or play video games. The only physical activity kids could count on was what they got at school and now it’s on the chopping block.

We must support efforts to improve the quality of PE offered to our school kids as well as the variety of activities offered. We also should support efforts outside of school to educate kids and their parents about the many benefits of a physically active lifestyle. It’s not just because, it’s for your child’s health and development!

Jeff Kreisberg is a patient advocate, educator, scientist author of the book “Taking Control of Your Healthcare,” and, until his retirement, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Jeff also blogs regularly on health issues on his website, Taking Control of Your Healthcare. Follow him on Twitter: @kreisberg.

References:

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/64809067.html

http://www.mylatinovoice.com/healthwise/68-healthcenter/2440-robert-wood-johnson-foundation-playworks-focus-on-play-for-health-reduce-obesity.html

http://texasedequity.blogspot.com/2006/05/school-recess-is-at-risk.html

http://playworks.org

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/64809067.html