The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
May marks Northern Physical Activity Month in Saskatchewan and it could be the push some children need to improve their health as well as grades. A recent report from Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) detailed parents' feelings on physical education, health education and physical activity. 'The findings paint a picture of a broad-based support for greater investment in physical and health education,' read an article from PHE Canada. The survey was conducted last June and showed 64 per cent of Canadian parents who responded believe more time devoted to physical education would lead to improvements in math, science and reading/writing. 'A slightly larger percentage _ 67 per cent _ believe that students should receive 150 minutes or more of physical education per week,' the article read. Saskatchewan in motion encourages children to be active 30 minutes a day at school, 30 minutes at home and 30 minutes in the community. 'Parents, and Canadians more generally, are recognizing that the benefits of raising healthy, physically active children spin out into other facets of their lives,' Chris Jones, executive director and CEO of Saskatchewan in motion, said in the article. 'It all starts in the school. By receiving quality physical and health education, students are equipped with the tools to make them healthy, resilient, and productive members of the community.' Northern Physical Activity Month encourages children of the community to be active at home as well as at school. And there are plenty of ways to do so. With the summer sunshine out and warming each day, it's the perfect time of year for bike riding, soccer, baseball, tennis, playing tag, and bringing out the rollerblades. 'In addition to the health benefits, 87 per cent of Canadians agree that physical education and activity help children to develop self-confidence and 77 per cent agree that children who are physically active tend to perform better academically,' Jones was quoted as saying. Creighton and the surrounding areas encourage children to be active through organized sports, like soccer and baseball, as well as offer facilities to continue to be active.
