Protecting Physical Education in Our Schools

The American Heart Association’s Voices for Healthy Kids initiative aims to foster a national conversation about the need to ensure quality physical education as a part of every child’s education.

Over the last few months, we worked with a group of bloggers to spread the word about the need for expanded PE and to push for changes in the states and communities where change is most needed and where clear opportunities exist.

• Paige Wolf of Spit That Out talks about how her kids’ active lives are so much different than hers were.
   
• Jamie Knupp of Mama Without a Clue marvels at the difference she’s seen in her kids’ school work, attention span, and physical fitness since the increase to more frequent PE class.
   
• Jamie Yonash of Life is Sweeter by Design shares a school nurse’s perspective on PE.
   
• Charmin Calamaris of The Momiverse emphasizes the importance of making sure her kids get exercise and physical activity every day.
   
• Lisa Collins of Mom on the Side gives 3 reasons why PE is needed in schools.
   
• Katherine Bartlett of Our Whisky Lullaby shares why even in homeschool kids need PE.
   
• Wendi Aarons of WendiAarons.com explains how PE class was the most fun and weird hour she had as a middle schooler.
   
• Robyn Welling of Hollow Tree Ventures will take a side of athletics with her kids' academics.
   
• Jen Andrade of Jen is on a Journey  gives 3 important reasons to protect PE in schools.
   
• Jessica McFadden of A Parent in Silver Spring feels lucky that physical education is mandated for K-8 students in her home state.
   
• Maria Castro of Tough Cookie Mommy has seen firsthand how active students correlate to students who achieve.
   
• Sharon Sprague of Unmommy  explains why PE is an essential part of a well-rounded curriculum.
   
• Nicole Etolen of Pretty Opinionated outlines 6 skills our children learn in gym class that will last them a lifetime.
   
• Deborah Cruz of Motherhood the Truth reflects on how physical activity was different when she was a kid.
   
• Caryn Payzant of The Midlife Guru remembers how school PE in the 60’s and 70’s was regimented, predictable, and plain boring.
   
• Trina O'Boyle from O’Boy Organic struggles with the fact that kids are sitting far too much throughout the day.
   
• Danielle Slaughter of Mamademics shares why physical education is on the top of her kindergarten priority list.
   
• Christy Garrett of Up Run for Life shares the top 6 reasons why physical education is an important part of your child’s education.
   
• Jessica Woodbury of Don’t Mind the Mess didn’t always love PE, but it always broke her out of my own world.
   
• Sarah Hughes of Finnegan and the Hughes wishes PE class met more than two times per week.
   
• Jessica Ashley of Single Mom Nation shares an unexpected story of how PE dread turned around as a parent.
   
• Elizabeth Atalay of Documama knows that
   
• Katy Farber of KatyFarber.com  stresses that supporting PE in our schools is good for health AND learning.
   
• Amanda Taylor of Survival Guide by The Working Mom asks if your child is getting enough PE time in school.
   
• Veronica Arreola of Viva La Feminista shares why even though she got As in math & science, gym was her favorite class.
   
• Erica Chao of Mama’s Mission has a lot more questions than answers about PE in her child’s school.
   
• Colleen Panzer of Colleen is Creative shares that for kids who may be struggling academically, PE may be the only part of the day where they get to shine.
   
• Jenelle Angeles of The Party Parents was surprised to learn that her kids were not getting the recommended daily activity of 60 minutes a day.
   
• Erin Klein of Kleinspiration is fascinated with the impact that physical activity has on student learning outcomes.