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The importance
of keeping homeschool students active, both mentally and physically.
The Basics
Recently, a friend of mine asked some very important questions about the reasons why families decide to, and ultimately stick with, homeschooling their children. Some parents grew up in a homeschool family, and therefore it is natural to do the same for their children. But the vast majority of families never knew a single thing about homeschooling and how much of an advantage it can be for most of them. It is important for new homeschool families to understand how great this experience can be. In addition to academic curriculum, and what charter school to decide on, it is also imperative to keep your child active throughout the school year! Why are you homeschooling?(with a sideways glance)
It’s a question I’m sure many of you have had. Family and friends who may not realize how much of a benefit homeschooling has been. Some see it as a crutch for a child early in their school career, and eventually the child will be able to go to “real school” as some have put it. Well, of course “real school” is whatever way you choose to raise and impart knowledge on your child. The word school can have many different definitions, as most experienced homeschool parents will tell you. So, whether it is out of necessity or choice, homeschooling is here to stay! Education is Key
The benefits of educating your child at home do come with some caveats. A great majority of parents have never been in the education field. The possibility of being overwhelmed is very real. The only reason why a parent would stay overwhelmed is to refrain from using the great resources readily available to them. And as the homeschool environment has expanded, so have the amount of people willing to help.
Ask an experienced homeschool parent
Homeschool parents usually have gone through a lot once they get into their second or third year. This experience almost assures them of being able to help others navigate the do’s and don’ts.
Ask a teacher at one of the charter schools
Teachers are always a great resource since they are also experienced in the structure of the homeschool environment and are also actively seeking new students themselves to provide funding to. Their knowledge is invaluable.
Hit the web
Most often, your question has been asked in a forum somewhere. Asking your phone or computer will likely lead you down the path that you need to get to.
Why Staying Active is so Important
This should be a “no-brainer” statement, but a lot of families tend to overlook it. Many parents focus only on the curriculum a child is going to use. While it is very important to match up the best curriculum with the child’s mind, it is as also imperative to remain committed to keeping your child active.
The environment has changed over the years. Hand-held devices, on-demand services, they do make life more convenient. I was on the front-line of the newest technology, having worked in the cellular industry during its biggest growth period. I realize the temptation of being connected and not missing out.
With all of those factors in mind, a lot parents have found it increasingly difficult to find time in the day to motivate their children to stay active. Sports and the arts have become more of an afterthought than they have ever been, and that is scary. Even public schools are cutting programs and asking for major amounts of fundraising in order to keep their programs afloat.
All of these trends lead to a strong possibility of a future without creativity and quality health. How Much Physical Activity is Enough?
According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention:
“Aerobic activity should make up most of your child's 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week.”
Pretty easy to understand and follow, but how many families really do?
The problem isn’t time, homeschool families generally have plenty of that. So what would be the major stumbling block?
Most homeschool parents tended to thrive in specific subjects in school, and Physical Education might not have been one of them. So how are they expected to teach and motivate a child in a subject or activity that they were uncomfortable with themselves.
I know what you might be thinking, “But it’s only P.E.”
From personal experience, I can say with no uncertainty that the homeschool students who partake in a structured physical education class once or twice per week, are more likely to have more focus and get better sleep on the days that the physical activity occur. They also learn valuable health and character-building lessons in most programs such as On The GO Academy.
Remember, the CDC asks for 60 minutes per day, with at least three of those days to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
Without recess, P.E., and walking (or riding a bike) to and from school, a homeschool student doesn’t have the “built-in” activity that a public school student has. Those gaps need to be filled. This is where a P.E. class, and/or signing up for a team sport would help assist in keeping that activity schedule, and hopefully childhood obesity down.
What are the Options? Up until now, there have been several good outlets for physical activity focused on homeschool students. Most parents look to karate, dancing, travel/club sports teams, or even one on one instruction to try to replace P.E. These are all great options, and could be mixed blended for a very good routine. There are a lot of high-quality youth training facilities in your local area. The best way to find them is word of mouth, since a happy customer is usually happy to promote a good program. Is there anything else? The one thing that is lacking the most in the homeschool environment is the school/sports aspect. Travel/club teams primarily consist of a mix of both public and homeschool students. Nothing is wrong with that, except that the homeschoolers still don’t have a “school team” to call their own such as spirit squads, cheerleaders, elementary school, middle school, high school (freshman, junior varsity, varsity) sports teams playing baseball, basketball, soccer, etc, and earning a Letterman’s jacket.
This happens to be an area that we are currently working on with On The GO Sports, in partnership with On The GO Academy in the Roseville/Sacramento area of CA. In addition to our P.E. program at On The GO Academy, catering to homescoolers TK-12th, we are looking for groups or individuals interested in joining On The GO as a homeschool athlete. On The GO Sports offers physical education classes and teaches fundamentals needed for students to become successful in many sports. Now offering classes and building teams for homeschoolers to compete in sports against other schools in the area. Contact onthegoacademy@gmail.com for more information.
