In recent years it seems that there has been an increasing focus in the media on obesity and on the health and wellness of children in our country. As a father, husband, and educator this issue is very close to my heart. Everyday I have the opportunity to work with boys and girls to help them to improve their academic proficiency. As a leader, I also feel that I owe my students more than just helping them to improve their academics. As a school leader, I believe that it is my job and the job of the teachers with whom I work to help to educate the whole child. What does it mean to educate the whole child? Why is this important? How does educating the whole child fit into the rigors and demands of high stakes testing and No Child Left Behind? These are all questions that I hear from parents and educators as I have traveled across the country over the course of the last three years and all are certainly worthy of further discussion.
What does it mean to educate the whole child? Why is this important?
It is important for us, educators and parents, to emphasize the growth of our children as people, not just test scores. From an educational standpoint, I see that testing and accountability are essential to education, but absolutely not the purpose of education. My belief is that the purpose of education is to create a well-rounded, problem solving citizenry that is capable of furthering our democratic society. Our children must learn the basics of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies; these academic areas are crucial to our children becoming successful. Did you know that many states use 3rd grade literacy levels to estimate the number of prisons that they will need to build in the next 15 years? We must also not lose sight of the other curricular areas that are equally as important, such as physical education, music, and art. It is crucial that our children have the skills that they need in order to more effectively navigate a globally divergent existence.
Obesity will limit our children’s potential to enjoy the quality of life that many of us have enjoyed as both children and adults. According to researchers from Harvard University’s School of Medicine, if current obesity trends continue, this very well could be the first generation in nearly 100 years that won’t outlive their parents. Nearly 1 out of every 3 children born in the year 2000 will become type 2 diabetics if we do not take action. We have to embrace the education of the whole child and promote physical activity, proper nutrition, and a balanced approach towards the academic growth of our children.
How does educating the whole child fit into the rigors and demands of high stakes testing and No Child Left Behind?
Promoting physical and emotional health as well as improving academic proficiency does not have to be an exclusive decision. Health, wellness, and physical activity can be an integral part of the school day. Unfortunately, not all educators agree. In a study conducted in 2006 it was determined that 40% of elementary schools in our country have eliminated recess and limited physical education while 75% of high school students are not enrolled in any physical education classes. The purpose of this column will be to share information on this issue, to raise the level of parental awareness of the problem, and to share ways in which we, together, can advocate for positive change.
The encouraging news is that we can change the future, we can diminish the reality of the statistical predictions above, and we can help our children to improve longevity and quality of life. There are many challenges associated with creating a culture that embraces the whole child. In 1956 it was considered medically impossible to break the four minute mark in the one mile run. In 1957 Roger Bannister broke the mark; that same year so did 16 other people. Running at that speed did not get easier; running at that speed became possible. It has been proven that student and staff physical health can be positively impacted without taking away from academic achievement; it is possible. The lenses through which we see education must shift from test preparation to life preparation, from schooling to educating, and from losing our children before their time to our children outliving their parents. Our children are counting on us to do so. To quote the North Carolina advocacy institute, “Children may constitute 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future.”
Hundreds of questions and answers from other parents and coaches!
Great article every parent should read it.