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Archived articles on the topic of How to Improve your playground are linked below to the actual newsletter in PDF format.
PLAYGROUND TIPS
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Greetings!
This month's newsletter provides information on the 2008 PEP Grant and our new PEP GRANT BLOG. Don't miss this opportunity to get daily updates on grant resources and information to assist you in applying for a 2008 PEP Grant. A recent research finding on Creating a Better Playground highlights the importance of providing balls, bean bags and simple equipment on a playground as a tool in getting kids active. |
Creating A Better Playground
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Simple playthings such as balls, jump ropes, hula hoops and riding toys
do more for encouraging physical activity than swings, jungle gyms and
other stationary playground equipment, according to a recent report in
the 'American Journal of Preventive Medicine'.
The findings are
important because they show that schools and day-care centers don't
need expensive playground equipment to keep kids active. The data was
collected by researchers from the University of North Carolina School
of Public Health from 20 childcare centers across North Carolina. The
goal of the researchers was to determine the various environmental
factors that encourage children to play with greater intensity and for
longer periods of time.
More on Creating a Better Playground.....
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PEP Grants funded at $76 M for 2008
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The Department of Education has announced that
$76 million in PEP (Physical Education Program) grants will be
awarded this calendar year (2008). It is estimated that there will be $33,850,000 for funding NEW GRANTS which is projected to fund an estimated 112 grants ranging from $100,000-500,000 in the 2008 round.
Peaceful Playgrounds and WE Count Pedometer Walking Programs have been supported across
the nation through submission of the PEP Grant Application.
Additionally, Peaceful Playgrounds has a PEP Grant writing support page with tips, hints and language for getting your PEP Grant funded.
PEP
grants are used for professional development training, equipment
(balls, bean bags etc), and Physical Education curriculum like Fundamental Movement and recess programs that increase children's physical activity levels like Peaceful Playgrounds and the We Count Walking Program which earned national recognition for After School Promising Practices. |
What do I get in the Peaceful Playgrounds Program Package?
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 We are often ask about the contents of the Peaceful Playground Program Package. The list is below:
· (4) Activity Guides: Preschool/Kindergarten; Grades K-3;Grades 3-6; and Field Games.
· (4) Blueprints: Preschool/Kindergarten; Grades K-3; Grades 3-6 and Field Games
· 41 stencils: letters, numbers, feet and shapes
· Playground good sports coupons
· Playground good sports award
· Program overview video or dvd
· Equipment checkout form
· Playground procedures list
· Playground report
· Workshop training materials
· Playground sportsmanship poster set
· Large Peaceful Playgrounds Poster for office
*Peaceful
Playgrounds Program materials are copyrighted. Site License is issued
with each Peaceful Playgrounds Program purchase for use of designs at a
single school site for which the site license was purchased.
For more information http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com
e mail Melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com
Call 877-444-9888 for school and district discounts.
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Case Grows Stronger for Physical Activity's Link to Brain Function
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A first-period exercise class is helping Illinois teens prime their
brains for the day's coursework -- a model that should be expanded
nationwide, some education and medical experts say. "There's sort of no
question about it now," said Dr. John J. Ratey, a Harvard Medical
School associate professor of psychiatry. "The exercise itself doesn't
make you smarter, but it puts the brain of the learners in the optimal
position for them to learn."
Proponents of the educational benefits of exercise maintain that the
federal No Child Left Behind Act, which puts pressure on schools to
raise students' test scores in core academic subjects, is prompting
some schools to cut back on time for physical education classes and
recess. Nationwide, Dr. Ratey writes in his book, only 6 percent of
schools now offer PE five days a week. "At the same time," he adds,
"kids are spending 5.5 hours a day in front of a screen of some
sort-television, computer, or hand-held device."
"Had the
creators of No Child Left Behind looked at the data, they would've
realized that physical activity is good for the brain," said Charles H.
Hillman, an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Endless Fruit and Veggie Bar
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Tulsa Public Schools has piloted a new program. They are adding fruits
and vegetable bars in their schools in an effort to curb childhood
obesity and to add nutrition to their diets.
Lee Elementary is one of the first schools to try it out.
So far the students are enjoying the extra options to keep them healthy.
"I
want to encourage the parents really to have the kids eat these healthy
choices, because these are the habits they will have for the rest of
their lives," said Hossein Akhtarkhavari, Child Nutrition Director
School nutrition officials say students can visit the fruit and vegetable bar endlessly.
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Sincerely,
Melinda Bossenmeyer
Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc
www.peacefulplaygrounds.com
877-444-9888
melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com
PO Box 45586
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Copyright Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc. Mar. 2008 All Rights Reserved
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