As a Physical Education/Health teacher for the past 30 years I have seen a decline in the fitness levels of our children. Many of the children do poorly on the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge. These same children have problems with Aerobic activities, strength and endurance. Life choices may have an impact.
Many children are using electronics more then any activity. Television, Games, Phones, Computers, Facebook have all contributed to this decline. Some studies say the average teen spends a conservative 17 or more leisure hours per week in front of a screen-almost double the 8.8 leisure hours spent playing outdoors. Many students are quite lethargic in the morning due to the use of electronics through the night. They struggle paying attention in school and are physically tired due to the lack of sleep.
Dr. Aric Sigman states, “Whether it’s Facebook, the internet, or computer games, screen time is no longer merely a cultural issue about how children spend their leisure time, nor is it confined to concern over the educational value or inappropriate content it’s a medical issue!” Dr. Sigman’s findings also revealed by age 7 the average child will have spent a full year of 24 hour days watching recreational screen media. Over the course of childhood, children spend more time watching television then they spend in school.
Children must be given the skills to entertain themselves and be creative without electronics, and must be given the opportunity to interact with others. Parents encourage your children to put down the electronics and get active. Make a snowman, snow fort, go sledding, skating, skiing, fishing, hiking or just play!
Bill Neubarth
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