Is your child’s health in danger from a computer? Making Exercise Fun
By
National Hall of Fame Educator
Alan Haskvitz
For more car reviews and free educational links go to
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A child sitting in front of a monitor for hours is creating the possibility of a lifetime of physical problems. The first problem is one of obesity. Sitting in front of a computer uses only 60 calories an hour. Outside of watching television or sleeping nothing else does less for you child’s physical fitness level. Indeed, with the dangers of repetitive strain injuries (http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech138.shtml) typing on a computer may even do more damage than watching television to a body.
Here are some tips for your children and students to help make using a computer physically safer. First, make sure they keep their feet flat on the floor, sit up straight, keep their eyes level with the screen and take breaks at least every 20 minutes. For younger children use an object be placed on the floor to keep the child’s knees at a 90-degree angle. In addition, physical therapists recommend the use of wrist rests and glare screens to reduce reflections. This is a good article that summarizes concerns: “Top 10″ Ways To Monitor Kids’ Computer Health
http://www.apta.org/news/feature_releases/computerkids/computerkidstips It is important to spend time checking these ergonomic guidelines for children when setting up a computer desk. Just in passing, it is best that the work area be where you can check it constantly to make sure junior does not stray from the Internet work that is required.
http://co.essortment.com/whatisergonomi_njh.htm
With these tips in mind you might be thinking of stories that you have heard about computers giving off radiation or making your child smarter. This site has the answers to these and more http://www.childrenssoftware.com/sixmyths
Physical Education and Sports Medicine Resources
As a coach of world championship caliber teams I sometimes forgot about the average student. I don’t think I was alone in this giving much more time and attention to a small group of students rather than could educationally be justified. Children deserve a change to improve their fitness level and it is easy to do even at home. This is especially important as it becomes common knowledge that not being physical active results in a higher chance of poor health. However, with declining school budgets physical education programs are often curtailed. With that in mind I have created one of the most complete collections of P.E. resources that cover everything from how to write a physical education resume’ to virtual sports trainer sites. These are designed to make finding better ways to invest good fitness into sometimes reluctant children.
There is a great deal more posted at http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/phys_ed.html In addition, I have posted the addresses of most every professional sports team in the nation online so that a child can write, read, and study about their favorites. Go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/sports/index.html
Here are some of the best sites that can help you help your child or student and all of them are free thanks to the efforts of the Horace Mann Companies and this website sponsors. You should note that Horace Mann offers scholarships (http://www.horacemann.com/html/edprograms/educate.html)
Virtual Knee Surgery
Here is an excellent example of how a child can learn more about their body using the Internet and also learn about a possible career. This tutorial allows users to conduct a virtual
knee replacement.
http://livingchildren.com/knee/
These sites are general ones that are loaded with exciting ways to make physical education simple and yet exciting.
Ask the Expert
Ask PE experts in various fields.
FunnyJuggler.com Juggling lessons
TeachCircus.com — Juggling
Juggling promotes hand-eye coordination, concentration and individuality. It also helps hyperactive students learn to concentrate.
PE Central
Big physical education site — you name it, and it’s here.
Lesson plans
Alberta Learning Physical Education Online
Lesson plans — limited number listed by topic
“All’s Fair in Sport and Competition” Lesson
I especially liked this one.
Awesome Library – Physical Education
A top-rated lesson plan page with a large collection of plans
Discovery Channel School – Health, Physical Education & Fitness
A varied site with nutritional tips
eSchoolnet Physical Education Lessons
The Human Body Theme Unit
Elementary printable fitness lessons
Instructional Materials in Physical Education
Lessons for everything from non-traditional gymnastics to primary lessons
Lesson Planz – Physical Education
Organized by grade level
LessonPlansPage.com – Physical Education and Health Lessons
Sports Medicine
About.com’s Sports Injuries
A diverse array of information on dealing with sports-related injuries
About Sports Medicine
This is a listing of articles about sports medicine, performance enhancement, injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Mobilis Healthcare Group
Sports medicine diagnosis site and other information
Orthoseek – Orthopedic Topics
Orthopedic information on a variety of problems
SmartPlay
Treating injuries
Sports-Injuries.com
“To educate and empower health consumers with up-to-date, professional medical and therapeutic information on orthopedic and sports-related conditions”
The Virtual Sports Injury Clinic
A great site with many attributes — I like the Virtual Therapist, where you just click what hurts and get a ‘virtual diagnosis’ of more than 100 sports injuries.
Wade’s Sports Medicine Page
Get information on sports medicine, athletic training, sports-related injuries and treatment. Also, learn about personal lightning safety and protocol for concussions.
