How important is gym class to kids during the pandemic?
Jennifer Vince at Rosedale Elementary School leads Mrs. Davies Grade 2/3 split class through an outdoor phys-ed class Monday morning. Barry Gray/Hamilton Spectator
By Ernie Schramayr, Contributing Columnist/Hamilton Spectator
One of my favourite things about working from home since the start of the pandemic has been the ability to walk my neighbourhood on breaks between virtual training sessions with my clients.
Since September, this has included seeing the kids at the school across the street from my home as they arrive and leave for the day. It’s also meant seeing how much physical education they’ve been receiving, outdoors, on a daily basis. While movement, formal exercise and physical play is important at all times, I imagine that it is even more important when dealing with the restrictions that have been put into place to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
To help me understand exactly how meaningful “Phys-Ed” is to the kids, I reached out to Jennifer Vince, a physical education, music, drama and dance teacher at Rosedale Elementary School and asked her a few questions. Here are her replies:
What is the value of gym class?
“Gym class is extremely important for young students for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it helps them to develop both gross and fine motor skills and aids in the development of their brains as well as their growing bodies.
“The activities that make up gym classes have a positive effect on the moods of students who may have been sitting inside studying and feeling restless. The simple act of moving their bodies in meaningful ways can help them feel revived and refreshed and ready to take on the rest of their academic day with a new, positive mindset.
“There are some students who feel more comfortable being outside and moving than being inside and sitting at a desk. Having the chance to move and play during gym class lets them feel more confident and comfortable when they do return to class.”
How are classes organized and planned out?
“Each class lasts from 40 to 60 minutes and begins with an endurance activity like lap running. This is followed by stretching and then skill development and skill practice. Skills include things like throwing and kicking.
“The most popular part of the class, however, is game play or participation in an activity like dancing.”
Are gym classes competitive?
“Unlike the gym classes of the past, the emphasis of physical education is now on sportsmanship, teamwork and the development of specific skills by each student. Fun and inclusion is emphasized over winning while students have the opportunity to work on self-regulation during the classes to help them better manage their behaviour, thoughts and emotions.”
How is gym class different now than before COVID-19?
“The biggest difference in classes now is that there are no activities or games where students touch each other, like they would do in a game of tag. Even simple things like giving a ‘high five’ are not allowed.
“On the other hand, it has given us the opportunity to be creative and we have come up with games like ‘pool noodle’ tag where the kids can still have fun while keeping a safe distance between them.
“The other obvious difference is in the level of cleaning that happens after each and every class. Every single piece of equipment is either sanitized immediately at the end of class or ‘quarantined’ for seven days (in the case of larger, unwieldy pieces like parachutes).”
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What are the plans for winter classes?
“Our plan is for the kids to dress appropriately and for us to continue with outdoor gym classes throughout the winter; as long as the weather and temperature permits. We’ll be playing games in the snow and will enjoy the season as much as possible.”
What has been the single, biggest challenge?
“Without a doubt it has been the no-touching rules for all games and activities. Kids are very kinaesthetic and love to get involved with each other in physical ways and we’ve had to be even more vigilant in watching them.”
Has there been a positive in the current situation?
“Yes! It has been incredible to see how amazing everyone involved in our school has been in stepping up to do their part. The custodians have been phenomenal and tirelessly doing their absolute best, always. The teachers, the parents and even the kids themselves have all displayed a fantastic, positive energy and willingness to do what needs to be done at all times.
“Finally, an additional benefit for me has been that, for the first time in many years, I have not been sick with a cold or flu thanks to all of the extra sanitizing and distancing taking place at Rosedale.”
Updated on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.