November

Click here for Spanish Version:

www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/toolbox/upload/Nov-2010-Parent-Letter-SPANISH.pdf

Dear Parents,

I strongly encourage you to check out the NASPE Let’s Move in School website and make physical activity a part of your child’s life every day. Start small, have fun, and watch your life change for the better. As always, contact me if you have any questions or comments.

I encourage you to visit the NASPE Let’s Move in School website at http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/advocacy/letsmoveinschool/ . It is divided into three parts:

1) Get the Facts explains the difference between physical education (PE) and physical activity, how much PE there is in schools, obesity trends, and physical activity guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

2) Resources provides information for parents, school administrators and policy makers. I encourage you to download the assessment of your child’s physical education program. 3) Get Involved offers ideas for you to take action locally by joining the school wellness committee, becoming a fund raiser, and encouraging policy makers to require more physical education in school.

Of course promoting physical activity starts at home. A few ways you can promote good habits:

organize whole-family activities (biking, hiking, camping)
encourage children’s physical activity habits (help build skills, provide equipment)
set a good example by being physically active yourself
limit screen time spent with TVs, computers, and phones
advocate for daily/quality physical education in your school
buy movement oriented game systems such as Wii Fitness
provide toys that encourage physical activity (jump ropes, kites, bikes)
go to local parks and playgrounds to not only play but connect with other children
volunteer to help during recess of physical education
Join the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award program.

In 2008, Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move campaign to encourage American youth to be physically active (http://www.letsmove.gov). The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) applauds these efforts, and has launched its own campaign titled Let’s Move in School to focus specifically on getting students active in schools. Students spend a majority of their time in school, and the physical activity habits formed there can have lasting implications. That’s why it’s so important students to engage in physical activity throughout the school day, especially when studies show that physical activity has positive outcomes for academic performance, physical health, emotion well-being and socialization.

Actively Yours,

Christi Maloney