Aquatic plyometric drills for children offer a promising avenue for promoting physical fitness and skill development. By following the guidelines recommended in this article, physical educators and coaches can ensure safe and effective implementation of these drills.

Background: In the United Kingdom, creative dance is classified as part of physical education rather than an important core subject. Purpose: Taking the U.K. National Curriculum as an example, the article's primary aim is to examine literature exploring the benefits of creative dance, for children aged 3 to 11 years in mainstream state education,…

The assessment of fundamental motor skills in early learners is critical to the overall well-being and physical development of the students within the physical education setting. Olrich (2002) has suggested that any physical education program must be designed to assess both measures of physical fitness and fundamental motor skills in all students.…

In this article, the author recounts her experience with Tracy, who was playing with a balloon outside her office when she was five years old, and gives an up-to-date story of Tracy since 1985, 1990, and 2006. In reflecting on Tracy's play, the author realizes that Tracy is helping her see clearly what play is really all about, that in playing to…

The facts about nine physical exercise myths are presented. (SB)

Asserts that movement and physical activity are essential for intellectual growth of Montessori students. Outlines important concepts and procedures for developing a physical education program. Advocates "Fit for Life" approach, involving daily aerobic activities and muscular development routines. Describes how one teacher prepared his…

Critical factors in the selection of calipers for skinfold measurements to assess body fat percentage in children and considerations for the training of testers in their proper use are highlighted. (JMF)

Compared Chinese fourth-, eighth-, and eleventh-graders' self-perceptions of ability in physical education. Found no grade-related decline in perceived ability. All students used effort, ability, and comparison to judge their ability. Students at all grades perceived task mastery as the major ability indicator and tended to assess ability in…

This article describes Success in Physical Activity, a program for students with autism. The program, based on adaptations of the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) recreational structure program, focuses on two areas: physical fitness and motor ability. (Contains seven references.)…

This study investigated the relationship between physical performance tests and body fatness in young children, and the extent to which differences in performance between the sexes could be explained by differences in body fatness. Measurements of age, height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and performance scores on the vertical jump, standing…

Compared were the perceptual and gross motor abilities of 30 mentally retarded and 25 nonretarded 10- to 12-year-old children. Performance data on such motor tasks as the agility run, 20-yard dash, obstacle course, and target hop were recorded, with separate data for the retarded Ss on the basis of etiological classification (Down's Syndrome,…

The University of Massachusetts has designed a preschool laboratory gym program for 2 1/2 - 5 year olds to encourage the development of a wide range of abilities, specifically, to provide practice in climbing, balancing, hanging, jumping, running, sliding, swinging, and ball handling. (JMF)

Discusses ways parents can help children create a lifestyle that supports physical fitness, focusing on motivation for children and parents. Defines the components of fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Presents information on developing adult and child fitness programs, including a workout…

This collection of papers reviews the effects of sport and physical activity on children. It is organized around six sections representing the basic disciplines that contribute to a broad view of the child in sport and physical activity: physiology; medicine; growth and development; psychology; sociology; and motor learning. Although each paper…