Now that it’s clear that school will be done remotely for many, parents and teachers will have to be creative in making sure that all educational needs are being met. While math, reading, science, and social studies can be done in the virtual classroom, physical education will need to be a bit more hands-on. The great thing about PE is that it can be done anytime during the day and can be done as a fun family activity. So if you’re looking for some outdoor or indoor PE ideas, you can start here.
What Counts as Physical Education (PE)?
For PE guidelines by grade level, check out tea.texas.gov. Any activity that involves movement and is educational can be considered physical education. This can include dancing, vacuuming, mowing the lawn, or jumping on the trampoline.
Outdoor PE Ideas
Physical education can be done inside or outside depending on the weather. Here are a few ideas for outside activities:
- Kickball
- Soccer
- Hula hoop competition
- Obstacle course
- Bubble run
- Jumping jacks
- Bike riding
- Skateboarding
- Walking around the neighborhood or park
- T-ball
- Frisbee
Being active is very important for everyone, especially during these stressful times. Not being able to attend school regularly can be hard for children. Staying active can help relieve stress, reduce depression, and burn some energy. And did you know that staying active has been scientifically proven to keep you young longer?
Indoor PE Ideas
If the weather is not conducive to outside activity, there are exercises that can be done inside that are equally effective:
- Dancing (have a dance off)
- Yoga
- Running in place
- Jumping jacks
- Stretching
- Squats
- Lunges
- Jump rope
- YouTube exercise shows like gonoodle.com.
Most young children are excited to get to play in the house, so being able to jump rope and do lunges will be fun. Parents can turn PE time into fun and games. Create a dance using their favorite song, and have them choreograph their moves. Record the dance and watch it later. Time jumping jacks to see how many they can do in a minute. See who can do lunges the quickest across the room. PE does not have to be boring and can be something different each day. Above all, have fun and be creative.
How much water should your kids be drinking if they are active? Read here to learn how to prevent dehydration.
