Decline In Physical Education Can Take An Academic Toll On Kids

By the end of her day, Ashley Smith is prettytired. Her day has been full of math, reading andwriting and her parents worry about it.

"You put kids in a classroom all day longand don't give them an outlet for that energy," says parent Chris Smith. "They can't sit still in their seats. It makes it tough for them to focusand concentrate on their academics."

Physical education classes give kids a boost of energy and blows offstress.Everyone agrees it is good for kids, butthere is one problem -- they are not getting enough time for P.E.

"They get P.E., I think, 20 minutes a week, and I don't think that is sufficient. I know when I was in school we had it every day," Smith says.

The state recommends 30 minutes of formal activity a day, but it is justadvice and not a rule.

"In Person County, they have daily physical education. In Wake County, wesee our children one day a week for 30 minutes," says Artie Kamiya, ahealth and P.E. supervisor.

Wake County supports the First in Fitness program. The program offersselect students a chance to get the President's Physical Fitness Medal. Italso provides a chance to show how fit they are.

The kids in the program have rippling muscles and flushed faces, butexperts say too many other kids areparked in front of a TV or video game. One study shows they may learntheir sedentary behavior from grown-ups.

"North Carolina in adult fitness was dead last andwe need to do something about that," Kamiya says.

Ashley's parents decided to take their children's fitness program intotheir own hands. Twice a week, they leave school and head toplaces to rev up their motors.

"We make them go outside as much as possible. Mydaughter is in dance, and my son plays athletics: basketball andbaseball," Smith says.

Kamiya tells parents to ask your child's principal to offer burstbreaks around 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each school day.Allowing kids to briefly move around andstretch may not make for a stronger heart, but it does allow kids a breakthat helps them pay attention.