Advocacy and issues in physical education - Essay Example

Advocacy and Issues in Physical Education Advocacy and Issues in Physical Education Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 242807 12 October 2008 Table of Contents Future insight..4 Build better society.4 Building self-respect...5 Social impact...5 Implementation6 Sources7 Advocacy and Issues in Physical Education Dear Administrator, I am writing this letter with concern and burden. There is need for physical education for school going children in the United States. For some time now I have been watching the physical scenario. Overall our children are doing all right. We have good grades. There is discipline. The quality of teaching is also good. However, one look at the physical condition of these children makes you think. A lot of them are so fat! In the last two decades the number of obese children in our country has tripled. In fact, they comprise 17.1% of children including teenagers (Advocacy Issues). The figure is daunting! There is need for setting up after-school physical activity program in the school's main gym for non-athletes, increase in the amount of physical education currently offered in the school, adding physical education to No Child Left Behind law, and maintain 30 minutes recess in the regular school day. In the absence of adequate physical activity, the actual performances of the students suffer. They are unable to attain peak performance. They do not maintain the level of concentration required. They tire easily. They lack resilience. You can see that there are serious consequences awaiting these kids. From the viewpoint of health, obesity is the single cause for most diseases like cardiovascular problems, blood pressure, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, stroke, etc. (Advocacy Issues). Apart from this, obesity comes in the way of physical activities and fast thinking that make careers. Parents too urge physical education in view of this situation. Future insight In a few years from now, these kids could be looking back with regret why they could not partake of a healthier system. They may feel they ought to have done more in the physical realm. They may even consider starting at that point. However, a great number of these students may drop out in the absence of sustained efforts of others over them, something that they can get in the school. It is here that we could do something positive and have the students put on the right track so that they can continue with it even after they complete school. I think there is the need to nurture physical exercise. Much of the time is spent on the mental aspects. Indeed the best times are spent studying. The physical attributes are hardly touched upon. It is high time the physical aspects are given their due. If we fail to act now the day is not far off when we will pay for the lapse with serious consequences to the individual and to the nation. Build better society The inclusion of physical education in school will have tremendous impact in the hearts and lives of the students. Given the right approach, they will grow to appreciate life better. The level of their thinking will improve. They will have better self-respect and they will learn to make more correct evaluations. Apart from better learning, their contributions to society will improve. It is important to bear in mind that we are handling children entrusted to us by parents who are keen to see that their wards receive the best attention and nurture not only mentally but also in the physical domain. Besides, society needs strong, self-oriented students. The capacity to perform and excel is inculcated in students who are well disposed to physical education. These students possess the attitude to awaken in society the right beliefs and traits so that the composite whole is reflected in the students. Building self-respect Students with physical education not only receive training and workout whereby they have better build physically but also score on self-evaluation. They are also well-informed and are capable of carrying themselves with decisive assurance of an adult. Good physical attributes enable a child to think better, focus better, and concentrate well in studies. I am talking about physical fitness that brings about change for the better in thinking and working. Perhaps it will be far fetched to imagine that physical education is panacea to every ill in society. However, the child gets a wider opportunity to shed inhibitions and grow to his/her full potential. Social impact Physical education properly imparted has the potential to impact society. Immediately the action may not be perceptibly felt. After all, there is nothing to bring about a significant change in physical activities. However, over a period of time, the influence of a strong individual make heads turn. In the long run, the benefits to society can be gauged by the individuals' contributions and good health. Society is a collection of individuals. The success of these individuals impacts society to make environment safe and secure. The individuals depend on school to make them what they desire to be. Implementation I am writing to you in the middle of the term so that we have time to think over what I have written. I am aware the idea is good and it is needed. Please let me know how you feel about it. I know you will consider this issue in its fullness. If you feel that I could take this up with the principal and the teaching staff I would be obliged. It will also give me time to organize the entire exercise so that we are ready with the issue and begin it from the ensuing academic year. We may have to cut down the interval to 30 minutes. The balance 30 minutes may be used for physical training at the end of the school day. The support of the principal and the teaching staff is important for we cannot proceed without it. I am sanguine given the right approach we will be able to persuade the principal and the teaching staff to agree with my proposal. I await your reply. I will not take up the matter with anyone unless I receive your response. Please treat the matter with utmost confidence. In the event you want to discuss this issue with me, we could meet and I will tell you how I propose to go about the whole thing. Should you decide that we have a good chance of implementing physical education, I will feel vindicated that my stand has been successful and I will do everything I can to make the exercise a very worthy enterprise. Thank you, Sincerely, XYZ Sources: Advocacy, http://www.ncpe4me.com/advocacy.html Advocacy Issues, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, http://www.aahperd.org/aahperd/pdf_files/AAHPERDAdvocacyIssues.pdf Advocacy Plan, Promoting Policy Plan to Combat Overweight, Obesity, and Physical Inactivity of Georgians, http://www.g-pan.org/images/GPAN_Advocacy_Plan_2005.pdf New Children's Health Initiative Program Expands Participation, Michigan State Health Policy, http://www.msms.org/AM/Template.cfmSection=Health_Care_Issues&CONTENTID=2109&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 12 April 2004, http://www.njahperd.org/PDFs/AdvocacyNews1.pdf What Physicians Say about Physical Education, Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, http://www.asahperd.org/legislation.html Read More