Physical activity is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

A physically educated person:

Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.

Standard 3: Participates regularly in physical activity.

Standard 4: Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.

Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.

Source: AAHPERD
 

How much Physical Activity Should Children Get?

Children should accumulate at least 60 minutes, and up to several hours, of age appropriate physical activity on all, or most days of the week. Children should participate in several bouts of physical activity lasting 15 minutes or more each day. Children should participate each day in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimal health, wellness, fitness and performance benefits. Extended periods (periods of two hours or more) of inactivity are discouraged for children, especially during the daytime hours. Expose youngsters to a wide variety of physical activities Teach physical skills to help maintain lifetime health and fitness Encourage self-monitoring so youngsters can see how active they are and set their own goals Individualize intensity of activities Focus feedback on process of doing your best rather than on product Be active role models.