Deogratias: Physical Education

March 26, 2008

Physical Education

I've always been reluctant to begin a formal PE program around here for several reasons. For one, I've always figured my kids didn't need it because they are so active already. Just about every afternoon they play for hours and hours outside--sometimes it is a very active game and sometimes not--but for the most part they get plenty of exercise.

For the most part I have the neighborhood kids to thank for a free PE class. So many of them are always coming by and organizing some sort of game. It's football in the fall, baseball in the spring and basketball in the winter. They also alternate between hide and seek (ghosts in the graveyard if it is at night) and four-square, bike and scooter riding and playing war. And up until recently we had a trampoline which would contribute much physical activity.

Now that we're moving out of a neighborhood I have realized that we'll be pretty much our own, so I need to put something together to keep the guys active. A few weeks ago I ordered a book called Homeschool Family Fitness from Catholic Heritage Curriculum. We began strength training and walking this week and it has been wonderful in motivating my kids (and getting them tired out).

After just three days we have seen an improvement in their skills and the boys are really enthused about it. They're not too happy about having to walk or jog a mile, but they really do seem to have fun despite the complaints (see photo #1). I did have one with an aching side and sore muscles yesterday (see photo #2) but that was motivation for me to work more on warming up, stretching and cooling down.