http://www.sparkpe.org/blog Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:10:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en sparkpehttp://feedburner.google.com Congratulations to the recipients of the inaugural Presidential Youth Fitness Program grants! As a research-based public health organization, SPARK applauds the hard work and forward thinking that has led to the development of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. SPARK believes strongly in the power of assessment, quality professional ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/presidential-youth-fitness-program-grant-recipients/ I hope we'll see you in Las Vegas June 26-29 for the 2013 Southwest District Convention! This year's conference features some amazing speakers including a keynote by our very own Dr. James Sallis. If you attend make sure to visit SPARK in the exhibit hall and say hello to myself, Kymm ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/2013-southwest-district-convention/ The Common Core standards were introduced to schools throughout the nation in 2010 and have quickly been adopted by 45 states. Designed as a robust, nationwide set of school standards, the Common Core program builds off the state standards already in place. The standards prepare students for college and the ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/how-common-core-can-be-implemented-in-p-e/ Music is a timeless element that has been around since humans first created rhythms from the beating of sticks and stones. It is powerful, drawing deep emotions and memories buried in the thick of things, but most of all, music is a stimulant for the mind, body, and soul. Once ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/benefits-of-music-and-dance-in-pe-class/ The childhood obesity statistics in America are startling: over the past three decades, obesity rates among youth have tripled, and nearly one third of children in America are now overweight or obese. While there are many different culprits, reduced physical activity is one of the main causes of this national ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/spark-is-partnering-with-motion-fitness-to-get-america%e2%80%99s-youth-moving/ Structured physical activities are usually led by a qualified adult and include organized sports, guided play, and school PE programs. Structured activities are important throughout a person’s life, but they play an essential role in early childhood—from birth to about five years of age. These are very tender years for ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/the-benefits-of-structured-physical-activity-for-early-childhood-programs/ When it comes to providing kids with the best nutrition to keep them going strong, traditional PE programs alone may not suffice. Since kids are notorious for being picky eaters, this can make it difficult as a parent or after school program coordinator to find foods that kids will enjoy eating ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/the-top-5-worst-kids-lunch-foods/ When Dr. Thom McKenzie and I were finished presenting “It was 20 Years Ago Today” (full video below) at AAHPERD this year, we fielded a number of good questions from audience members.  One was regarding research questions that remain unanswered.  In response, I mentioned that when we did the original ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/getting-ready-for-summer/ From Marissa Rathbone, Director of Policy and Programs, ACTIVE Life Dear Texas School Health Advocates, We need you! (And just for a few minutes...) House Bill 1018, designed to propel the work of School Health Advisory Councils (SHAC) throughout the state, has been recommended for referral to the Senate Local and Consent (having ... http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/urgent-action-needed-from-texas-school-health-advocates/ Although 63 percent of Americans polled said they were against a tax on junk food, some health experts are arguing that adding a tax to foods with high sugar content would improve health, reduce healthcare costs and generate revenue. Here is a look at some of our findings. http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/taxing-junk-food/