Healthy Active Children Learn Better

In conjunction with the current brain research the Physical Education experience for the children at Jackson Elementary School remains on the cutting edge. Neuroscientists are advocating the importance of movement and physical activity in the learning process. With many cross curricular activities that include math, reading, social studies, and science we try to link movement with the academic standards. The basic skills of balance, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance and rhythms remain the main components of our program. The emphasis on competition is shifting to cooperation and that has allowed us to give any child the opportunity to succeed in the gymnasium. We stress working at your own level and working to improve self skills. So to the common observer our games of basketball may seem strange but to the participating student they are designed to allow everyone at any skill level to thrive and most important have fun.

While I firmly believe in the process of gaining new skill levels in each area of participation we try to first make the activities fun so there is the desire to return for the next session. Lifelong fitness is certainly the goal I have in mind for each student and fun is one of the strongest drawing cards for accomplishing this task.

I encourage all parents to find ways at home to keep your children active. Take a walk, fly a kite, put on your roller blades, ride a bike, hold family active games, build a snowman, use the stairs, dance,...you will in turn be reaping the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Janice E. Todd, Physical Education Instructor

Questions, concerns or comments, mailto:jtodd@wasd.org