Table of Contents
Top Ten Reasons Why Children Find Physical Activity to Be Fun – Christine Hopple
This article shares the “top ten” reasons why a select group of children found physical activity (PA) to be fun, as well as implications of these for professionals who work with children in activity settings. Based on a study that utilized interviews, a survey, and children’s drawings in order to determine what fourth, fifth, and sixth graders found to be fun about PA, it is hoped that the findings will assist professionals in their goal to increase children’s enjoyment of PA.
Top Ten Reasons Children Find Physical Activity to be “Un-Fun” – Christine Hopple
Over 90 boys and girls in grades four, five and six from three non-traditional public schools in a mid-sized Mid-Atlantic community were involved in research activities (a survey, drawing and interviews) designed to elicit their thoughts on the things that make physical activity un-fun. Themes resulting from analysis suggest that lack of skill, an overemphasis on competition and winning, and feelings of pain are major factors contributing children’s non-enjoyment of activity.
Articles
Using Technology and the Ecological Model of Constraints to Develop Story-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
– Claire Mowling, Kristi Menear, Ayla Dennen, & Jeanine Fittipaldi
The purpose of this article is (1) to describe the use of technology-based story movies (social stories) as a method of delivering story-based interventions; (2) provide information on how to script social stories suitable for children with autism spectrum disorder in physical education; and (3) explain how ecological theory and constraints can assist in the development and delivery of social stories.
An Integration of Mobile Applications into Physical Education Programs
– Hyeonho Yu, Pamela Kulinna, & Kent Lorenz
This article provides an overview of technology use in physical education and specifically identifies physical education and physical activity applications that teachers might find useful. An example of how mobile applications can work directly with the sport education is also provided to assist the readers with their own implementation plan. Finally, ideas for how to integrate mobile apps into a PE program are discussed.
Swim to the Top: A University Partnership Focused on Enhancing Swimming Competency in African American Youth
– Benjamin Schwamberger & Zachary Wahl-Alexander
Swim to the Top (S3T) was created with the primary objective of developing stronger swimming skills in African American children. This article describes how the S3T program was created, shares the challenges that were faced throughout its inception, and illuminates the experiences from the program with the hope that future programs will spawn from the current one.
9 Square in the Air: Not Your Parents Traditional 4-Square Game
– David Barney & Amber Hanson
This article examines the rules, implementation and benefits of the game 9 Square in the Air in physical education. Teachers will find tips for implementing this game at all levels and drills that will help their students find increasing success. This game supports all concepts of a comprehensive school physical activity program as well as the National Standards for physical education.
Departments
THEORY INTO PRACTICE
Considerations When Choosing a Fitness Tracking Device
– Shelley L. Holden & Timothy M. Baghurst
Fitness trackers help people to be more mindful of their fitness, but what exactly are the exercise guidelines for Americans, and what should consumers look for when selecting a fitness tracker? This article provides useful information for educators to get the best bang for their buck when looking to purchase fitness trackers for their classes.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Advocating for Student Health Through Grassroots Curricular Development
– Jeanne M. Barcelona & Julia Goetten
One strategy for creating a healthy school culture is to integrate health concepts into core subject areas. In this article, a health and wellness coordinator and a curriculum specialist explain the meticulous process and discoveries that led to the development of a district-specific health curriculum.
EDUCATOR’S CORNER
Fitness Fun with a Nutritional Twist!
– Kristie Lynch
The purpose of this article is to describe how to integrate nutrition concepts into physical education activities that include aspects of health- and/or skill-related fitness and relevant nutritional information. Three activities, which are applicable to K-12 physical education classes, are showcased.