Whatever you thought of gym class, the current debate over childhood obesity has made physical education (PE) more relevant than ever. As the website for First Lady Michelle Obama鈥檚 informs us, kids need 鈥�60 minutes of active and vigorous play every day to grow up to a healthy weight.鈥� Some 黄色apps are even . In an ideal setting, PE doesn鈥檛 just improve fitness 鈥� it also reduces stress, strengthens friendships, and improves self-confidence and self-esteem, making even kindergarten physical education worthwhile.

Is your child getting the physical education he needs? Check out our grade-by-grade guidelines to see what kids should be learning in PE.

Valuing fitness

In kindergarten, children begin to learn the value of physical activity. They should practice fitness while learning new movements and working to develop key social skills, including good sportsmanship.

Kindergartners should also learn to try new types of activities. As physical education specialist Amy Kaiser explains, 鈥淭here are skills to learn and games to play. Nothing can be accomplished unless the child feels safe enough to try something new.鈥�

Kaiser likens PE to a science lab. 鈥淧hysical education is the 鈥榣aboratory of life,鈥欌�� she says. 鈥淐hildren [should] challenge their bodies and brains to try new tasks, accept difficult challenges, and learn a different vocabulary. When students fall down, they have to stand up again. If they drop a ball, they pick it up again. And if they lose, they learn to say, 鈥楾hat was a great game. I want to play again.鈥欌��

Movin’ and groovin’

Kindergartners should be able to try new ways of moving, whether it鈥檚 galloping, hopping, walking, running, jumping, leaping, skipping, or sliding. Kids should practice these movements while experimenting with changes in speed and direction. And teachers can play music in the background to encourage children’s creative instincts.

Classic games like jump rope can also be a great way for children to improve their balance, coordination, and aerobic capabilities. 鈥淛umping rope is a universal game that has skills rooted in many sports,鈥� says Kaiser. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also fun and inexpensive.鈥�

Creating balance

In kindergarten PE kids should focus on activities that incorporate the abilities to, stretch, bend, twist, turn, push, and pull. Balance is an especially valuable skill, requiring both strength and concentration, and children can improve their balance by trying creative new poses. 鈥淐hildren have such great imaginations,鈥� says Kaiser, 鈥渢hey can create their own balance positions 鈥� a lion pose, a cobra stretch, or a crab balance. Kindergartners [love] to form their bodies into the shapes of letters.鈥�

Balance is equally important as a building block for other exercises and relaxation techniques. 鈥淏alance [can be] a foundation for many sports and a good tool for stress-reduction activities like yoga,鈥� Kaiser explains. 鈥淵oung children who practice balance are also practicing focus and concentration, two very important skills for academic success.鈥�

Eye on the ball

Kindergartners should learn how to throw Frisbees, small beanbags, and balls, learning the proper stance, steps, and follow-through moves. They should begin to develop their throwing, catching, and kicking skills, while practicing bouncing a ball using two hands and one hand. Kids should also practice their ball skills using their feet.

Children begin to learn to identify the parts of the body, learning how to move them during stretching and exercise. Playing games 鈥� like 鈥淗okey Pokey鈥� and 鈥淪imon Says鈥� 鈥� is also great way to reinforce their new knowledge. They can use their body to show that they understand the concepts of 鈥渙ver,鈥� 鈥渦nder,鈥� 鈥渂ehind,鈥� and 鈥渢hrough.鈥�

Learning social skills

Children should learn the importance of teamwork, as well. 鈥淕ood sportsmanship in kindergarten is as simple and important as taking turns and recognizing others during a game,鈥� says Kaiser. 鈥淐hildren at this age learn to work in pairs and small groups and can learn to appreciate others,鈥� she adds. 鈥淚t is very satisfying to hear children compliment each other when they鈥檙e trying out difficult tasks.鈥�

Expect kids to learn how to follow the rules and procedures involved in various games and activities, including how to share and take turns. Finally, children should be taught safety. They should learn how to safely use and care for sports equipment and, more importantly, how to look out for themselves.

What to look for when you visit the classroom:

  • Balls of various sizes
  • Beanbags
  • Frisbees
  • Hula-Hoops
  • Jump ropes
  • Balance beam

Updated July 2010