ABSTRACT
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 228 Children’s Physical Activity .......................................................................................... 228 Program Design ........................................................................................................... 228 What Physical Education Is and Is Not ........................................................................ 228
Sports ....................................................................................................................... 229 Play. .......................................................................................................................... 230 Physical Education ................................................................................................... 231
Developmental Changes in Boys and Girls .................................................................... 232 Skeletal Development .................................................................................................. 232 Muscle Development ................................................................................................... 234 Cardiopulmonary System Development ...................................................................... 235 Cognitive and Social Development ............................................................................. 237
Five to 7 Years .......................................................................................................... 237 Seven to 11 Years .................................................................................................... 237 Effects of Puberty ..................................................................................................... 238
Designing a Physical Education Program ....................................................................... 239 Themes ........................................................................................................................ 239
Core Strength ........................................................................................................... 239 Endurance. ............................................................................................................... 241 Weight Bearing ......................................................................................................... 242 Coordination. ............................................................................................................ 242 Complexity ............................................................................................................... 244 Social Impact ........................................................................................................... 244
Safety ........................................................................................................................... 245 Program Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 245
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 246 References ...................................................................................................................... 247
INTRODUCTION
Inactivity is a worldwide health problem (WHO, 2004). Without exercise and proper nutrition, bones can be weak and susceptible to fractures, even as children pass adolescence and enter their adult lives.
