Children’s Health Awareness

       The development of fundamental skills to children are important for a number of reasons, but many of the main/apparent reasons are also the most crucial; obesity and the diseases that follows obesity because of our exercise and diet habits (or lack thereof). Fundamental motor skills are the building blocks of all sports played today as well as other activities that aren't considered sport, but just fun. Without these skills children do not develop accordingly and as such have developed a ‘handicap’ so to speak with regards to fundamental motor skills and sports. Fundamental Motor Skills are essential to a healthy way of life, when fundamental motor skills aren't developed on the level that they should be, many children risk falling behind, not only in school but socially. Again while their environment plays a big factor as well, it is still the responsibility of the parent and teacher to engage their children/students into physical activities.

Through my research I've gathered that the most pertinent problem/issue with the inclusion of health and physical education is with disabled children, though with all of the mentions that I've seen through different scholarly work the concerning issue shouldn't be the disabled students. The problem with the inclusion of disabled students lies within the inadequate schools and professionals that are in charge of these programs. Schools either lack the knowledgeable professionals to advocate for these children or they are seemingly uninterested and as a result disabled children are somewhat lost within the system with regards to physical education.

       Physical Activities should stop when a child has left the school grounds or outside of normal extracurricular activities, but it should also be present at home as well. The home is, and always will be the underlying foundation for anything that is taught to children. It is for the parents and teachers alike to push and educate children on the best avenues for them to live healthy, prosperous lives. The seeds planted today are the flowers of tomorrow and no seed grows without guidance and help. The ‘Let’s Move’ program is an incentive to help children and parents across America integrate nutrition and physical activities into their daily routine. There website http://www.letsmove.gov/make-physical-activity-part-your-familys-routine specifically lists physical activities that parents can do at home with their children, among many other useful tips on nutrition. Some of the activities listed are play tag, swim, toss a ball, jump rope, hula-hoop, dance to music or even play a dancing video game. It doesn't have to be sports—just get your family moving (Let’s Move, 2013)!

• Walk the dog, go for a jog, go on a bike ride, take the stairs or head to the park and let kids run around for a while.
• Celebrate special occasions—like birthdays or anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a volleyball or soccer game or playing Frisbee at the park.
• Get the whole family involved in household chores like cleaning, vacuuming, and yard work.
• Walk instead of drive whenever you can. If you have to drive, find a spot at the far end of the parking lot and walk to where you’re going.
• Park farther away and count with your children the number of steps from the car to your destination. Write it down and see if you can park even farther away on your next stop.
• Train as a family for a charity walk or run.

       Here in the U. S Virgin Islands, there are a number of government resources and private organizations that help families maintain physical activities and healthy lifestyle choices. The U.S.V.I Department of Health website has several links that lead to organizations that advocate for children against obesity, as well as the food pyramid, and a dietary guideline recommended by the government to help make the correct choices about what to eat. There is even a list of popular diet plans that have proven to be useful by many and for those of us with different dietary plans located under a link to http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/. The SNAP and WIC programs are also strong, healthy avenues for one to take and follow when trying to regulate your diet; they come with information as well as guidelines for their participants so it is easier to stick with the program. The Happy Cow website offers a listing of vegetarian, vegan, and healthy choice friendly restaurants within the Virgin Islands as well as other places within America, which can be very helpful for many of us that like to travel and try new things, now when you leave your hometown you’ll still be able to make healthy delicious choices. Shopping at the local farmer’s market held at the Bordeaux Agricultural Fair every other weekend and on the last Sunday of the month is also a great place to find all natural, healthy, and fresh fruits, vegetables, refreshments, and food. Shopping at the local farmer’s market is a great way to ensure the use of fresh foods in your diet, as well as a great way to learn how to make healthy meals using these natural resources, using their recommended recipes.  

References

Hastie, P. (2012). Foundations of moving & learning. San Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

SPARK. (2013). Physical Education; Countering Childhood Obesity. Retrieved on January 28, 2013                    from http://www.sparkpe.org/physical-education/k-2/curriculum/lesson-plans/

Let’s Move. (2013). Let’s Move; America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. Retrieved on             February 4, 2013 from http://www.letsmove.gov/.