How to set up a Homeschool P.E.
Do you know what you are going to do for your Homeschool P.E. this year?
There are over a million children that are being homeschooled in the US and the number is climbing every day. This is the time of year parents of these homeschooled children are preparing for the new school year (often by getting curriculum and school supplies). However, one subject is often overlooked by homeschoolers. What is that subject? Physical Education.
Why is this? Well, maybe it is because we are home all day and we figure we can just send our kids to play outside each day and that is enough. Public schools also have their kids play outside too each day. It's called recess. However in addition to recess schools also have P.E. time. During this time children are required to do group and individual physical activities that go beyond just play to really work and condition their bodies. Children who are regularly physically active tend to be healthier which in turn results in better thinking and learning abilities. P.E. also helps to work out some of that ever present excess energy to help your kids settle down more for studies and for quieter home life preserving your sanity since you are home with your kids 24/7.
Now I know what you are thinking. But don't worry setting up a good homeschool P.E. program doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Here are 5 tips to help you set up the perfect program for your kids.
Make your program appropriate for your kid's ages.
If your kids are younger, consider easier less structured activities that are fun and use up a lot of energy. When your kids older consider more intense structured activities that require them to work with others.
Get some basic P.E. equipment.
I ordered mine through Oriental Trading Company's Learn 360 website. They had a great selection of active play items available at great prices. I decided to get various equipment that could be used at different times for a bunch of P.E. activities. The product I was most excited to see they carried was the parachute with the handles on the sides. I remembered loving to play with the parachute in P.E. when I was a kid. Since my boys are into active sports kind of play I got the Super Playground Fun Kit that had various sports balls (football, soccer ball, Basketball, rubber foursquare ball) jump ropes and Frisbees! My daughter came in while I was ordering and requested that I get ribbon sticks which I am glad I did because all the kids have had a lot of fun with them so far. They even had a fun hula hoop that disassembles for more compact storage.
Switch up your P.E. routine.
At public and private schools they switch up what the do for Each P.E. day. I highly recommend doing so as well. Switch up what equipment you pull out each day and even mix up using formal equipment with going on a hike a, bike ride or maybe even a fun physical game like tag. By switching things up you keep your kids interested and excited for P.E. time, you work different parts of the body, and each kid gets a turn doing the activities they prefer.
Utilize nearby parks and trails.
You don't have to have a huge yard to have a good homeschool P.E. program. We sure don't. Instead, we take advantage of local parks (to use your P.E. equipment or physical games, and trails to walk and bike along. Some days we just play together at a fun playground. These resources are there, so you might as well take advantage of them.
Get together with friends.
If the P.E. activity you want to do needs more kids, consider inviting another homeschool family to join you that day. My sister homeschools, so we like to get together with them to do certain activities. Having extra kids as well as adults can make a big difference with some activities (like playing with a parachute.)
The key to having a good Homeschool P.E. is being flexible yet consistent. Show your kids that their physical health is as important to you as their mental abilities by getting out and active every day. If you do so you will be surprised at how much more smoothly your homeschool day will go and how much more well adjusted your children are when it comes to interacting with other kids.
What is your favorite Homeschool P.E. activity?
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