Physical Education: The role it plays in academic achievement

With all the talk today about 21st century learning, I think it's important that we not only move toward those goals of learning with higher technology, but we must also encourage other methods of how to raise academic achievement. One of these other methods that will result in improvement in the classroom is the importance of physical education in our schools. With news of schools across the country limiting or even shutting down physical education programs there is no bigger time than now to remind the general public of its relevence. The youth of this nation needs this time during the school day to not only get an adequate period of excercise, but to also release some of their energy and have a time of fellowship with classmates. This will in return provide better behavior and concentration throughout the day and give the students something to look forward to during the school day. One other reason why this is especially important in this day in age is because of our nations growing obesity rate. We need to teach the new generation the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and nutrition, so that they can lead long and successful lives. Not only will this make our students feel more confident about themselves physically but it will show mentally as well, and we all know how much better we can perform with a level of high self-esteem. So just keep this in mind when your thinking about how to raise academic performance in our schools, because it has many vital benefits for body, spirit, and mind.